Eventually Latvia's nightmares changed from once a week to once a month, until it became an annual event. Russia always carried him away and no one said a word about it. Everyone, even other nations when they were forced to live here like them, learned to accept the occurrence. But all were confused and wary of why Russia would treat them with kindness then later loom by them and utter threats when they had displeased him.
It was because Russia no loner forced every Soviet country to live with him all the time, that it was only a few others that the Baltics had to explain the nightmares to. His sisters had to live here sometimes but Russia wasn't cruel to them like he was to them. He did not let them see him reprimand them, because it upset Ukraine so much. Russia's discomfort was clear on his face and the turmoil was palpable in the air. It scared the Baltics, making them wonder if he was going to crack and lock everyone in the basement, even his sisters, to regain control.
The Baltics were jealous that they were treated more kindly, although Ukraine and Belarus also had to do some chores and did not always get enough food either. They were gone for now, working in fields elsewhere to provide for Russia. The Baltics wished they could do that labor too, just to escape being right under Russia's watch in this prison of a house. But they were considered too rebellious, and the rebellious ones stayed.
This was how Prussia came to stay with them for a while. Immediately after seizing East Germany, Prussia was taken to become a permanent resident like the Baltics. Little Moldova as well for a time, because he was too attached to Romania. None of the Baltics necessarily liked Prussia because of the past they had with him although they liked the idea of a lighter chore load. However, they pitied him when he would obtain blows after having had openly voiced how he despised Russia. It was a relief in any case, that none of them was taken down to the basement. Now it was just quite the horror story that Prussia had to hear about.
Moldova was young, so when he heard the screams in the night, he came to their room frightened and tearful. To him, they only explained they were just from nightmares. They could not tell him the reason why this kept happening to Latvia, for they had the desire to preserve his innocence. Prussia had learned to hate Russia right off the bat, but Moldova did not know to fear Russia yet. He did not shake like the Baltics did; he was just a gentle child so it was hard for him to break things and he never had anything bad to say. Nevertheless, he did notice how everyone else acted around Russia so it got to a point where he was frightened, despite how he was rather tolerant to spooky things like his brother. He got disturbed when Russia requested he call him "Big Brother", but other than that, he was comfortable in his presence.
There was a day in which Estonia, Lithuania, and Moldova were all working in the same room while Latvia and Prussia worked elsewhere. Moldova was mopping, and he was playfully working because he found it fun to twirl around when the mop was taller than he was. He bumped into a table and a vase ceremoniously tipped over and the pieces slid across the floor.
"Oopsies!" Moldova exclaimed after having broken his first item in Russia's place. Estonia and Lithuania stared at him aghast and in but a few seconds, Russia appeared at the doorway with a smile on his face.
"What happened?" he asked sweetly.
Lithuania opened his mouth, ready to take the blame, however it was far too late. It was obvious who had done it because Moldova was still beside the mess, looking guilty.
"I'm sorry, Big Brother Russia," Moldova mumbled. "It was an accident."
Russia beckoned Moldova towards him. The Baltics fidgeted as the child was taken into the hall and Russia knelt down to look him in the eyes.
"You did a bad thing," Russia said.
"I'm really, really sorry," Moldova sniffed, clearly upset at his mishap and not because he sensed any danger.
"You can't be doing things like this. Do you need to be punished?"
"Oh no," Estonia whispered urgently into Lithuania's ear. "We can't let him hurt a child!"
"I know," Lithuania whispered back. "I swear, if he tries to hurt him, I will do something."
"No," Moldova mumbled. "It won't happen again…"
Russia narrowed his eyes and leaned in close to him. He murmured something into his ear and the Baltics saw Moldova's face go blank.
"Wh-What...?" Moldova replied, loud enough for them to hear.
Russia whispered a few more words and Moldova's face went pale. His eyes went wide in fear. Russia then stood up, patted him on the head, and walked away. Moldova stood there in shock, then started to cry as Lithuania and Estonia raced over to him.
"What's wrong, Moldova?" Lithuania asked. "What did he say to you?"
Moldova tried to reply, but his hitched speech was too hard to understand. They brought him back into the room and let him sob into a pillow while curling up on a chair, until he had calmed down while they had continued to do the cleaning.
He looked at them with red eyes filled with emotion. "He-he asked me if I knew how he p-punished people," Moldova whimpered. "A-And I didn't know, so then h-he said to me…"
"Yes?" Estonia asked softly.
"H-Haven't you heard Latvia at night?" He rubbed furiously at his wet face. "Now I'm scared! What did he do?"
Lithuania knew now that there was no point in lying as Moldova stared up at him so expectantly.
"He hurt him," he muttered. "Russia isn't as nice as he might have been seeming to you. Be careful around him, okay, Moldova? He's not afraid to do bad things to people because he doesn't care about anyone."
"I-I want to go home," he whined.
"Shh," Lithuania whispered, putting a finger to his lips. "You're also not supposed to be saying those kinds of things."
I can hear him, Russia thought as he walked away, referring to Moldova's crying. But I had to scare him at least, so he will learn. Then he doesn't need to get hurt…
Russia walked by Latvia and Prussia with his face shadowed and his eyes sharp. He looked like he was in a dangerous mood to them, so they worked rigidly- but he hardly paid them any attention. He was still trying to justify away the annoying pang he felt in his chest.
They should be thankful, really. They should know that if I am scaring them, then they will be better and I won't have to do anything to them.
At least, this was the plan. After a while he let Moldova go back home, although he still belonged to him and would not be allowed to visit his brother. He did this as a precaution, just in case a time would come when he was not being careful. He feared the burst of anger that had briefly gripped his heart as he saw what the child had done. He feared too much that his screams would only soon be ripped out from under his hands if he stayed.
They would hate me if I hurt him, Russia had realized when he had stared at the broken pottery. And then little Moldova would only fear me.
He stuck desperately to the new method, but everyone who was around Russia in the late Soviet Era only believed he had become more dangerous. He was more threatening than before and he had increased his surveillance on all of them. Every day, they expected him to lash out at them and when he did not, they only continued to believe that it would happen, just later.
Russia did not realize that despite his efforts, they just feared and hated him more in the end.
Years had passed after that incident with Latvia, but to that day, it was something that haunted Russia's thoughts on late and lonely nights. It made him remember every time he had punished any of the three Baltics, and all of those bloody memories hitting him at once when normally he would not think of them at all made him feel all twisted up inside.
It just so happened that Russia had been having one of those nights. He was still wide awake at midnight, trying to sleep when he heard wailing. It took him a moment to realize that it was not coming from a memory, then he left his room in a hurry and barged into their bedroom. The Baltics were all awake and gathered by Lativa, but they had never figured out how to get him to stop. Prussia was here too, disturbed and pacing the room. He could be a deep-sleeper, but he never slept when Latvia was having nightmares because he claimed that if he fell asleep to the sounds, he would have nightmares for days. They never heard him, but in the days that followed he would walk around the place with a disturbed look on his face and he would hardly respond to anyone.
Russia rubbed crud from his eye then looked at the shivering ball that was Latvia.
"He is really good at the screaming," Russia said. "He is very loud."
He scooped up Latvia then departed. Everyone looked at each other, unsettled by the comment Russia had made.
For the first time, Latvia woke up with a grasp in Russia's arms. He realized quickly the situation, but was surprised when he noticed Russia was taking him into his bedroom. Russia pushed the door closed with his foot and walked over to his large bed.
"What...?" Latvia trailed off, confused.
Russia pet his hair and laid him down gently onto the mattress.
"You are having the bad dreams again," he said, and then got into bed beside him. Latvia sat up to dive away, but Russia caught him before he was able to hop off the bed by wrapping his arms around him and dragging him closer. This was the most conscious Latvia had ever been out of all the times Russia and taken him away, and thus Latvia realized a fear of being so close to him. He squirmed and tried to pull away, but Russia held him tighter.
"I will not hurt you, Latvia," he murmured past heavy lips.
He had relaxed his grip and leaned Latvia against him. The Baltic cringed, but Russia started to rub Latvia's neck. Latvia stiffened in order to avoid trembling in front of Russia, but Russia could feel it and he poked at the muscles unhappily. So far he had not been hurt, but Latvia's fear only grew increasingly with everything Russia did because Latvia would wonder, Why is he doing this? and then was unable to answer his own question.
He hoped Russia would not feel or notice how his pulse had increased from this stress. He chanced a look at Russia, afraid that his eyes would be murderous, but found that he was looking at him in away that was nothing like the terrifying Russia of his nightmares. Latvia could dimly remember seeing Russia looking at him like this before, and he thought of the fire and recalled it was the first night he had his nightmares. Yet the memory had been formed in fatigue, so now that so much time had past, he had forgotten how softly he had looked at him before.
Russia however, furrowed his eyebrows as he gazed at the shine of fear still in Latvia's eyes. It made Russia despair under his surface. He thought, Why is it that no matter what I do, you are still so afraid? That you still have these nightmares? What can I do?
Latvia tilted his head in confusion as he watched a sadness cross Russia's face. When Russia reached out and stroked his hair, he sat still and let him do it, for something had sunk in his heart as he saw this sorrow in Russia's eyes and a frown where there was usually a smile. He gradually relaxed as more time passed and no indication of danger was given. The moment his muscles went slack, Latvia watched a small smile lifting the corners of Russia's mouth. The instinct to pull away vanished as he saw that somehow, he had just made Russia happy. He did not resist when Russia lay down and brought him with him. Latvia allowed his head to be set on Russia's chest and for his arm to curl around him.
Russia's hand stroked his back and Latvia was surprised to find a calm as the tender fingers occasionally pressed into the tense parts of his back. Latvia inhaled slowly, taking in the smell of clean clothes and blankets around him, and finding himself becoming drowsy. As the hand continued to pet him, a warmth leapt into his chest that was unlike anything he had felt before. No one had ever before done this to him before, cuddling and caressing him in order to bring him comfort. Lithuania and Estonia had never been this close to him.
Latvia curled up his legs and let Russia slip a thin pillow under his head. Blankets were drawn over him then he felt large hands tucking them snugly around him. A tranquil smile played on Latvia's lips and he shocked himself with it.
A smile? his mind exclaimed.
Russia could not see his smile, nor could Latvia see that he was smiling too. And it was his real smile. Russia liked how it felt different from his false smile, the one that he wore quite often while this one only came so rarely.
Just before Latvia actually fell asleep, he murmured something to Russia. It was quiet and shaky, but he had caught it.
"Thank you," was what Latvia had said. "I-I'm not used to this, but it's… nice."
"I like it too," Russia whispered.
"Why?" Latvia asked.
"I want you to like me," Russia said., "and I want to do kind things for you. It also feels so warm inside when I get to hold you, and when I am doing this, I don't want to stop. "
He means… that he is trying to be kind to me? As in, he cares about me? Latvia thought. But why? Why would he enjoy doing this?
"I don't know. But it is making me happy," Russia responded. Latvia blinked a few times, as he realized that he had just uttered the last question he had been wondering aloud.
This isn't bothering me as much as it should be. Latvia was careful this time to keep the thought within his head. But he isn't going to hurt me and he only wants to be nice to me right now. This can't be bad, right? Maybe... I can just enjoy this?
This time when he fell asleep, the nightmares did not come back.
"Where are they?" Estonia asked after they had peeked their heads into the room with the fireplace where they usually would be asleep, only to find it unoccupied.
"I'm worried about him," Lithuania said. "Russia was acting weird last night… what if he decided that Latvia needed a different kind of "help" in order to get him to stop?"
Estonia exclaimed, "That's a horrid idea- punishing him would only give him more nightmares!"
"He's crazy." Prussia sauntered up to the two. "Do you believe that he'd actually care?"
"But we heard nothing... unless, Russia gagged him..." Lithuania said.
"Scheiße."
Prussia's eyes narrowed in all seriousness. During his entire time here so far, the Baltics had only observed his hatred grow. He held a bitterness like that of Estonia's, but he was much more open about it. They knew it was only a matter of time before this would get him into a lot of trouble.
"Well, it might not be a bad idea to check if Russia's sleeping in his room," Lithuania continued.
So they all went, even though it was only usual for one of them to go to Russia in the morning and be at service in case he required something. Just before Lithuania knocked on the door however, it opened and they looked down to see Latvia there, still in his pyjamas and holding open the door.
"Oh, g-good morning!" Latvia exclaimed.
Lithuania gasped, "Latvia! What are you doing here?"
"Oh I-"
"I am wondering same thing about you guys." Russia came up from behind Latvia to rest his hands upon his shoulders.
No one responded, all uncomfortable and believing that someone else would just speak up. Russia narrowed his eyes at them and Latvia watched them grow unsettled. But Russia's touch was not heavy, like it would be when he wanted to convey a warning.
"They wanted to check on me." Latvia looked up at Russia to explain. Russia looked down at him coolly, but as long as the touch remained gentle, he did not feel scared. Latvia glanced back at the three in front of him who were staring at him oddly. "But it's okay- really! Mr. Russia took care of me."
Latvia looked at them and blinked innocently. Russia glared and all except Prussia nodded slightly before leaving. Prussia gazed at Russia suspiciously before he joined the others. Latvia saw the look Prussia had given Russia, and although he did not think much of the Germanic nation, Latvia grew worried for him. He pressed back against Russia, wanting to divert any violent feelings he may have been getting.
Russia remembered him and he leaned forward. Next to his ear, he muttered, "Go get changed now."
"Al-alright," Latvia stammered. Russia released him to return to his own room.
The next night, Latvia entered their bedroom and found everyone waiting for him. Estonia and Lithuania were sitting cross-legged on the bed and had been staring at the door for his arrival, and Prussia was standing and staring resentfully at the wall. Latvia froze, realizing instantly that they planned on interrogating him.
"Latvia," Estonia said with a fully serious tone that barely disguised his anger. "What did Russia do to you last night?"
"N-Nothing," he said nervously. Why is everyone so concerned this time?
"Tell us the truth," Estonia said. "Be honest with us. You don't have to feel as though you have to hide anything from us."
"He was nice to me again," Latvia said. "It wasn't any different-"
"You were in his bedroom!" Prussia burst out, snapping his bright eyes away from the wall and locking them with Latvia's. "And you were acting weird this morning! Also, he seemed pissed to see us- like more than usual!"
"Huh?" Latvia cocked his head.
At that moment, footsteps stopped at the carpet at their doorway. Prussia's eyes widened and he snapped his mouth shut.
"I am thinking that you will all stop with the questions and go to sleep now. I will not be happy if I hear any more voices." Russia threw a glare at Prussia. "I am wanting you to go to your room now."
Prussia swallowed. He slipped out of the room past Russia with the cold eyes following him the entire time. Russia then flashed a look at Estonia and Lithuania and they stiffened. Russia then left the room and his footsteps were heard receding down the hall, but the threat that pressed down on them made them quietly recede into the bed, carefully moving as to not make any sound at all, lest Russia find an excuse to come back.
Latvia crawled into his corner and settled into bed with the other Baltics. He lay on his side with his back to them, biting his lip and watching the wall as though it was interesting.
Unbeknownst to them Prussia was meanwhile clutching his pillow angrily. He shook in a silent rage, after realizing and then hating how he had just demonstrated such humiliating submission to Russia again.
The morning started with a bang. Prussia was late getting up, or at least that was what they had believed. Everyone had been in the kitchen, already finished eating, when he barged into the room and slammed a fist against the wall. He was looking down with sharp eyes blazing brightly, and breathing deeply. Not from any physical exhaustion, but from obvious, barely controlled anger.
"I want to see my brother," he growled.
Everyone in the kitchen froze. Latvia hugged a stack of clean plates near his chest and he began to quiver. He was still facing the counter, beside the other Baltics who were watching the scene unfold. Latvia stared straight ahead but heard Russia set down a cup onto the table heavily before he sent his chair screeching backwards as he stood up abruptly.
Latvia turned slowly and watched Russia stride powerfully towards Prussia. Latvia saw Russia's eyes and it almost made him drop the plates in terror. They were vicious and serious, and they pierced into the smaller nation that he stood tall and intimidatingly over. Yet Prussia stared back with rebellious fury in his eyes; something that was dangerous to possess here.
This is bad… Latvia cringed.
"And I don't care what you say," Prussia hissed. "I will be going now!"
"I do not think so." Russia placed a heavy hand on Prussia's shoulder. "You belong to me now, so you will do as I say. "
Prussia tossed his body to throw off the hand. Latvia felt his heart halt for a terrifying moment and he neary passed out from the hot fear.
"Nein, fuck you!"
Prussia barged past him and bolted. The Baltics yelped when Russia wordlessly flashed away and tore out of the room after him. The three scurried after them, holding onto the doorway and skidding around the corner in pursuit. Every one of them had adrenaline pulsing through them and hearts that thudded erratically against their chests as though they were trying to escape their bony cages. Prussia's actions were unthinkable. The Baltics knew better than to swear at Russia. It was beyond rationality; no one knew the limits of Russia's strength and no one wanted to him to demonstrate it upon them. If small crimes such as breaking his things could snap his patience, it left all three of them hurrying down the halls with minds filled with horrible ideas of what those powerful hands would do now to Prussia.
No! Latvia's mind cried. Don't hurt him... don't kill him. Please...
Around the corner, they heard a crash and Prussia hollered. They arrived just in time as Prussia hissed through his teeth and shot away from the wall, trying to pelt past the man before him. A gloved hand snatched his hair and grasped it roughly before the other hand clamped onto his shoulder. Prussia snapped his eyes shut tightly as he yelled out in pain, before Russia bent his arms then snapped them out to smash Prussia against the wall. He choked at the first hit and his eyes flew open to stare right up at the ceiling. The second time he cracked against the wall, he made no sound. Russia released his grip and allowed Prussia to slide down the wall limply and crumple over with his eyes closed.
The other Baltics were locked upon the specks of blood on the wall, and upon the trickle running down Prussia's neck. But what Latvia found all the more frightening, were the emotions darkening Russia's eyes. There was ice there, but something else as well. Calmness, as though he had reached some kind of satisfaction- and then there was also calculation, as he too regarded the red staining Prussia's pale skin.
Russia uttered quietly, "No one can leave."
The three onlookers shivered as they recognized that those words had been directed towards them. They all looked at the example, which was the fallen person at Russia's feet. After a few seconds of watching, their eyes widened as they saw something that was to them, absolutely astonishing.
Prussia shifted and he blinked up at Russia with fire still burning in his eyes. Inextinguishable hatred; like the dog that no kick could stop it from emitting that one last final growl. He tilted his head up weakly, barely holding it up as his vision darkened and the energy drained from him rapidly. His lips pulled back before he muttered, "F...Fuck you..."
Russia knelt down with a disturbing smile planted on his face. He reached out and snatched Prussia's chin to turn his face towards him so that they were staring eye-to-eye.
"Hmm?" Russia's voice rang sweetly. "Are you still doing the swearing?"
Prussia inhaled a ragged breath.
"I said…" but then his eyes flickered shut, and Russia dropped his hand to let Prussia's head roll to the side. Russia chuckled quietly and the Baltics trembled even more so as they stood uncertainly in the background.
"That's okay, you can be sleeping now," Russia said to Prussia's unconscious form before he slid a glance over to his audience. "You three should be working, do you not think so?"
They stared back with hallow and fearful eyes. Even if Prussia had not been liked much by any of them, they were terrified to exit the room and leave him alone to endure whatever torture Russia wished to inflict upon him. However, they hesitantly obeyed, and they had no choice but to turn their backs and leave him.
Prussia was missing for the rest of the day, although Russia was seen wandering around occasionally with a tranquil look upon his face. The Baltics went to bed without chatting, feeling ever so uncomfortable and anxious. Then in the morning, when they crept into the kitchen, Prussia was seen sitting at the table, cradling a cold cup of milk in his hands.
His face was haunted and there were rings under his eyes. Russia was behind him, however he did not pay attention to him as he was busy cooking something. The Baltics checked Prussia over, but he was amazingly unscathed. In truth, each of them had been expecting to see him return torn up and covered in bandages, maimed beyond anything they had ever seen anyone suffer here at this house, after such a defiant attitude.
"G-Good morning!" Latvia chimed. The other Baltics murmured the same then crept cautiously into the room.
"Good morning," Russia purred. "Sit down, I'm making the breakfast today."
This air... this tension, Latvia thought as he sat down beside Prussia. If only we could explain to the other countries how it makes us feel to be here! He gulped. I can't possibly eat... feeling like this…
Russia seemed oblivious to the atmosphere in the room. Does he even understand how others feel? Then Latvia remembered. Of course he doesn't. He didn't even know why we tremble... that we are scared of him.
Russia smeared jam and added a sprinkle of sugar to each pancake before he set the plates in front of everyone. He even set down cups and utensils on the table, and filled all their cups with milk. After he left the milk out for them, he took a plate and cup for himself and began to leave the room.
"I will be with my boss all day today," Russia said. "But things are looking good, so why don't you all take a day off?"
"A day off?" Estonia echoed.
"Just be back for dinner."
Russia was gone. After a few moments of silence, Lithuania broke it by asking, "So, where would you guys like to be going?"
"You decide," Estonia replied.
He rose and walked to the doorway, checking that the halls were clear. He returned and looked at Prussia to ask, "Are you alright?"
"Yeah…" Prussia replied before sipping at his milk.
"Where were you?" Latvia asked timidly.
Prussia grimaced as he said, "He locked me in the basement, but let me out in the morning."
"He didn't punish you?" Estonia and Lithuania chorused.
"No, actually…"
"You are lucky, so lucky!" Lithuania gasped. "He's done it for smaller things like breaking the dishes!"
They ate, and were once again amazed at Russia's baking abilities. They did not like to admit that Russia was good at sane and normal things, like baking and knitting, because it seemed so unnatural to them that it would be that way. However, the warm pancakes that were so sweet and filling, even if they were made by Russia, made it seem like it would be a good day for them.
"I will be leaving tomorrow," Prussia whispered after returning from checking the halls. A week had passed since his outburst, but the spirit was still within him. "I've been here too long, and I can feel that the people of the East are feeling the same. They want to unify, and I want to live with Germany again."
"But how will you do it?" Lithuania inquired.
"I'm just going to make a run for it," Prussia murmured. "Tomorrow, I will clean by the front door and then I'll just run out. I know he will try to catch me, so I will run into the city and steal a car or something."
"I don't think it will be so easy," Estonia said.
"I want to at least try… I will do whatever it takes to get out of here."
"We can't help you though," Estonia said. "Really…"
"Ja... I know," Prussia said. "But I've always been good at doing stuff alone, so don't worry."
The next day, the four of them were unnaturally quiet, although this only made them seem more suspicious. They could at least hope Russia would not catch on to the atmosphere and their moods, as per usual. The hours dragged by and Prussia crept closer to the door as he cleaned the area. He tried not to check if he was being watched and he would just ignore the chilling presence behind him if he happened to sense Russia behind him.
His heart started pounding and he had to contain his excitement and anxiety so that he still appeared calm. So close. He set a bucket at his heels, so that when he dipped a sponge into it, he would have an excuse to turn around without looking like he was checking over his shoulder. He lifted his eyes up and glanced around. No one was here.
He backed up and slowly unlocked the door. Quietly, he opened it then made his way outside. It was November and it was quite cold, but snow had not yet stuck to the ground so he did not have to worry about leaving footprints. Slowly, he dragged the door shut so that it closed without a sound.
He took off running. He zipped away, expecting anything to happen as he crossed the property in open view of the windows. Russia might be targeting a rifle at my back right now- he whipped his head over his shoulder and looked back at the house.
He saw Lithuania staring at him from a window in amazement and dread as he raced away. Escaping the place was not the challenge he feared for Prussia, but finding a safe place was. There was a chance of Prussia making it to East Germany safely, but he would still be in hiding even in his own home, to avoid capture. It was hard for any of the Soviet countries to say whether escaping at this time would benefit them when everyone was controlled by Russian military.
But Prussia disappeared from view of the house. Lithuania let out a slow breath, then gloved hands fell upon his shoulders and he stiffened.
"Hmm, he runs very fast, don't you think?" Russia chatted sweetly from behind Lithuania.
"O-Oh, Mr. Russia…" Lithuania was at a loss for words.
"I am wondering how long he will last."
"Will... Will you be going after him?" Lithuania asked nervously.
"There's no need to! If he tries to get over the wall, he will be shot." Russia smiled. "So you see? If you try the escaping, bad things will happen to you!"
"Y-Yeah..." Lithuania uttered.
"It is good that you understand." Russia patted him on the shoulder, then left.
And then it was on the news. After several weeks of unrest from the citizens of East Germany, the government announced that on November 9th 1989, the citizens could visit the west. People climbed over the walls, celebrating and rejoicing with their separated families and friends. There was a shot on the news, and it was of Prussia practically flying up the wall to tackle Germany with a hug. There was a closeup of them smiling and laughing for a few seconds, and then the cup in Russia's hand shattered. The Baltics gasped, and blood trickled through Russia's gloved fist that he did not seem to notice at all.
"If you know what is good for you, go to the basement," Russia spoke lowly. "All of you."
"What?" Estonia gasped before his eyes flashed defiantly.
Russia stood up so abruptly that they all jolted. He did not lay a hand on them, but in a chilling voice, he said with the utmost sincerity, "Go. Unless you want to die."
Latvia squeaked from inhaling too fast and the others stepped back and gasped again. Lithuania let Latvia clutch his side with violently shaking hands so that Latvia could feel protected by him. Lithuania and Estonia slowly retreated towards the basement, quivering as well as they pictured near and horrible futures for them all. It was because Latvia was still attached to Lithuania, he could follow along with his eyes squeezed shut.
They headed down the stairs silently but they froze in their descent when they heard the heavy footsteps marching toward the door. They glanced back in time to catch a glimpse of Russia grimacing, before he slammed the door shut and enveloped them in darkness. A heavy snap as the lock was clamped shut, and then they heard the sound of his footsteps again as he departed this time.
"Nyet, nyet, nyet, nyet!"
Russia paced briskly back and forth outside so that the Baltics would not hear him. He slammed the faucet pipe against a tree, causing slivers of wood to fly out while embedding the pipe deep into the wood. He tore it out, and then smashed it against the trunk again and again, despite how the vibrations hurt his wounded hand. Eventually exhaustion overtook him and the pipe fell from his hand as he collapsed against the damaged tree.
The anger dwindled away until his emotions only sank into sorrow.
Why is it that I don't feel so angry anymore? he questioned himself. I should be angry, but now I just feel sad again.
He pulled off his torn glove, and heavy drops of blood splattered across the ground. He examined his hand and was surprised at how the shards from the cup had made the cuts that deep. The bleeding seemed endless. He dropped his hand to his side and ignored the numb feeling as the blood pumped out of him.
He left me. He never was my friend. He hated me, although I tried hard not to hurt him… any of them, he thought. Then he questioned himself, But why? Was I too easy on him? Is it necessary to punish them in order to get them to stay? It's been so long since I had to change my coat... Yes, Latvia was the last.
He thought back to that time, and most importantly, he remembered the words that had been said to him. At the time, he had hardly cared about Latvia's words because they had been hard to understand, but after the years of considering them at night, he had pulled some meaning out of them.
Trembling… I know that means fear. They fear me. That's why I haven't been punishing them, because I… I don't want them to… or do I? Does it matter? I am in charge of them; they belong to me. But I want them to be my friends, and I thought they would start to like me... but now I think that they won't no matter what I do.
Russia sighed and put his confused head back against the tree. My boss will be looking for me now, so I better get going.
He went inside and bandaged his hand first. He did not feel like dripping blood all over the house, but then his mind asked him why he cared, when the Baltics could just clean it up for him. He headed towards the door to the basement next and he put the key into the lock. He unlocked the door and pushed it open slightly before he walked away.
Why did I put them down there anyway? Would I actually have killed them if I hadn't isolated myself for a while? He was utterly unsure. That blind rage, when he broke the cup, had been intense- but then it disappeared entirely in only a few minutes. Now, he wished he could be angry, because he did not like feeling so lost instead.
"There you are!" his boss exclaimed when he met him. "I've been looking everywhere for you."
"I already saw the news." Russia bowed his head. "The German Democratic Republic wishes to leave the Soviet Union."
"The loss may seem humiliating for this country, but we will be fine without it. We have some important decisions coming up however, and we might have to have very good relationships with the other Soviet states. You must take care of your subordinates."
He wants me to make them stay.
"Yes. I will."
Maybe there is no other solution. I might have to go back to using my old methods.
Latvia looked at Russia nervously as he approached him. Latvia had been by the door organizing the closet when Russia had walked down the stairs to wander over to him.
Russia said, "Good morning, friend Latvia."
Latvia stared up with wide eyes at the hand that crossed over his vision as it came to settle down on his head. It immediately pushed down and Latvia felt hot pain shoot up his spine.
He choked out his reply, "G-Good morning, Mr. R-Russia."
Latvia made no sound at all as Russia still stood there with his hand continuing to crush him. Russia seemed sidetracked by a thought that darkened his gaze, but when Latvia twitched, he glanced back down at him. Russia met his eyes and saw the tears that gleamed over those of Latvia.
A thought struck Russia and his expression immediately dropped.
He... He is in pain. No, this isn't right. I don't want to do this to him.
Russia looked at him concern, which was an expression that Latvia had never before witnessed Russia looking at him with. The pressure disappeared, then the hand twisted and stroked the side of his face before rising back up and running through his hair. Russia felt now the delicate fluffiness that moments ago, he had been unable to feel at all. His heart stung as he thought about what he had just done to Latvia; how he had just given him more reason to fear him. His hand breezed all the way to the back of his head before it drew back and did it again, trying so hard to make up for what he had just done.
Russia whispered to him, "Do you like when I do this?"
Latvia closed his eyes and did not reply for a few seconds. Then he looked up at him, slowly nodded, and finally murmured to him very quietly, "Yes."
And because Latvia had said it, he believed his answer.