A/N: Did I surprise you?
Recap:
A sudden knock on his door brought him back to reality.
"Come in."
A young servant came in, eyes a bit wary as he held a paper in his hands.
"Excuse me master, it's that Russia has sent a letter. He wishes to hold a meeting with you tomorrow regarding "personal" issues as he calls them. I need your reply as to whether or not the meeting will be scheduled properly..."
Just what he needed. To face that psycho right now...
Chapter 7:
Step six: Compromise
He didn't want to be here. He really didn't.
America walked along the halls of the nations' usual meeting building. His face was sporting a frown as he somewhat nervously made his way to the room in which his meeting with Russia would take place. He eventually reached his destination and stepped inside, instantly noticing the man already inside the room. America proceeded to sit down, setting his briefcase on the table and setting a hand on top of it, his fingers tapping the surface rhythmically as if they had a mind of their own. He wasn't scared but he was a bit weary and with good reason. A meeting room filled with arguing nations was one thing, being alone with Russia was another.
His gaze fixed on Russia's, waiting for him to speak first. As if on cue Russia smiled and began to talk.
"I see you lived, America. I'm sure my sister is alive too then?"
"Y-yes." America quickly said, cursing at himself for letting that stutter leave his lips.
Russia's smile faltered for a second but it came back almost instantly.
"Well I bet you are curious as to why I have called you here. But I bet you already know why, da? You see, I am tired of my country's relation to Belarus' as you already know from our past encounter. So I came up with another plan after you ruined that last one." Russia pronounced the last sentence as if venom was actually dripping from his mouth, making America shift uncomfortably in his seat.
"And the plan is...?" America summoned all his bravery and sat up straight, he raised his face and pulled together a serious expression as he also crossed his arms on his chest, trying to look like a formidable opponent.
"It is quite simple really! You get Belarus; I get to be freed from her fully! And if you say no, I'll simply kill both of you~ Oh and if she approaches me, I'll also kill the both of you. Do we have a deal, da?" Russia smiled 'sweetly' at America, seemingly uncaring of the threat and conditions he had said.
America didn't allow himself to show any emotion or reaction. He simply remained the same and thought for a moment. After a little while he came to the conclusion that he actually didn't mind. Gaining official control over Belarus that is. He wasn't a fan of the dying part of course. In any case this made his own plan even easier. With Belarus officially under his care, he could keep her there without raising many suspicions plus he'd have all the time in the world to help her.
"Alright, we have a deal."
"Good! Now let us do the paperwork, da~?"
Russia pulled up a rather large stack of papers.
America twitched a little when he saw the pile but remained emotionless on the outside nonetheless. This would take a while...
A few hours later the meeting had ended and America admitted that everything had went better than expected. It seemed that Belarus would now completely belong to America forever though. Russia had also promised to never interfere or do anything to either of them as long as Belarus didn't approach him. But as good as that sounded for a while eventually America grew a bit uneasy though. The nation they had made a deal over wasn't aware of the news yet and he had a pretty scary idea of what Belarus' reaction could be when he had to tell her. "I really don't want to be stabbed..." America frowned as he walked alone on his way home with a burger in his hand.
But while chewing his meal, he awkwardly smiled as he once again realized: "This isn't all bad. Actually this is progress! It might be a slow progress but I'll get there."
But then he made a horrified expression as if he had forgotten something utterly important. "Wait a minute! I have to add a new star to my flag!"
Back in his home, America asked his seemingly terrified servants where Belarus was. All of them took a step back except one that realized what was going on a bit too late. So he took a step forward.
"She...uh...she's in the-the balcony, master."
"Okay! I really don't see why you're all scared though. Something happened?"
"Oh no! A-and you'll see..."
America raised an eyebrow suspiciously but turned away and started to walk towards the balcony. Just as directed, Belarus was there. She was wearing a simple sun dress that somewhat reminded America of her old, trademark dress. It was completely dark blue but it was made of a lighter fabric and it wasn't big and voluminous. It covered most of her legs since she was sitting on the floor though. It had the sleeves like a tank top's and she wore a small white bow on her head. She wasn't wearing any shoes and her eyes were focused on something else. America found himself staring at her for some reason he couldn't quite understand and he almost didn't notice what the servants meant. Almost. In her hand she held a knife. As she sat, she played around with it, violently stabbing an unlucky chunk of wood from time to time.
Back in reality, America gulped as he realized this. Now he really didn't want to tell her the news... But gathering himself together, he took a deep breath and walked closer to her.
"Hi there." he quietly said with a nervous smile in place.
She stopped what she was doing and her eyes widened for some reason. Maybe she was surprised? In any case, her expression returned to normal and replied. "Hello." But her eyes never met his.
Well it was now or never.
"Uh, I just came back from a meeting... With Russia."
At the mention of his name, she frowned, the grip on her knife noticeably increased and she stabbed the innocent chunk of wood with such force that the knife became completely embedded in it.
Maybe never was a better option...
"It was about me, yes?" she quietly asked, pulling the knife out with intimidating ease, her face never turning to meet his.
America's eyes widened as he observed what she did but eventually analyzed her statement and replied. "Y-yeah."
America took a step closer and kneeled down next to her, trying not to look at the innocent chunk of wood that became her target.
"...what will become of me then?"
"Here we go, America. Just say it." he thought. Then he said: "Well, to put it bluntly, you're mine now."
"What?" This time, her face instantly snapped to the side and met his, surprise clear in her eyes.
"Russia and I came to an agreement. You are to stay with me from now on. You are no longer associated with him in any way. Oh and if you show up there he's going to kill us both...ehehe." the last part came as a forced chuckle from him.
Her eyes widened and her knife fell from her grasp, making a loud bump against the floor. "No longer a part of him? I'm freed from brother? Completely freed... I'm America's now? Does this mean I get a new life? Another chance? What?" she thought. Somehow, she couldn't find any rage in her. She didn't feel like thinking of ways to try to escape from said agreement. She felt no violent impulse. Nothing. If anything, deep inside (yes, very deep) she felt a little bit... relieved? And she didn't understand why... So she silently stayed immobile, pondering on the same things over and over but never gaining a response.
America in the other hand, released the breath he didn't know he was holding. Somehow, god had spared him a beating. He noticed that Belarus had her blank 'thinking' expression so he stood up slowly.
"I'll be in my office if you need me. I guess you also need time to think what just happened too. Well, see ya later; I got a new star to add!" he smiled faintly and walked away into his home.
Belarus just sat there. But then an actual thought hit her. Why would America risk his life just to keep her? Hell, why would he even want to keep her? But then, for some reason, a smile crept up her face.
She was free from her past life in a way. Maybe she could now have a different life... She felt like a fool, smiling and thinking of letting go of past ambitions just because someone kept taking risks for her. But even the smallest act of kindness towards her felt huge. And this... She had never experienced something of the sort. But it had only been one day; it made no sense to her as to why America did that. It made even less sense that she felt content. Maybe that fool was somehow different? Just being around him made you notice the happy aura he gave off but she never deemed it as contagious...
But then again, what about revenge? Why was her desire for it suddenly dropping? It still made no sense! But why didn't she care? Why did she feel like sitting back and dreaming again! ? Did just the fact of being around America start to influence her? Why? How? It had only been days for god's sake!
But then again...
Her hand reached up to her weak smile as she stated.
"I haven't smiled in ages..."
This was when the first of her many wounds healed.
Maybe being with America wouldn't be too bad. He deserved a chance at least right? Right now, it seemed as if all the revenge, anger and pain could wait until later.
...but later is closer than it seems.
A/N: Hi~ Did I surprise anyone with my super ninja skills? By that I mean posting something an update the next day. You see, I start classes soon so I'm determined to finish this soon. Or at least as soon as I can. Like 3 or 4 chapters still left. Maybe 5 if I get all artistic. XD (Was completely wrong when I said 4 in a past chapter lol) I just felt all inspired yesterday and kept writing like a maniac. XD
Anyway, as for this chapter, let's see... Well the deal between Russia and America is set. America sure was lucky as hell that Belarus was having one of her 'calmer' days. You see, I intend her to, yes, be super crazy at times but she'll also have moments (or days) of sanity (Well, as sane as she could get that is. Since she can also get a bit confused and think a bit of nonsense during that time too.). But they are little moments which show that she isn't completely gone, that she still has a thread of hope that can be pulled into the light. *gets all poetic* I hope you get what I meant by that. XD
The part about when the first wound was healed, I meant it in the emotional way. Like, every time America manages to reach really to her (In this case, she made the realization that he somehow wanted to keep her and that he had freed her even thought that put him in some danger.) she'll start to come back to reality. I hope I don't seem like a crazy maniac saying this but what I try to say is that, in a way, kindness(and love) are what she had always needed. They are her cure.
I don't know... I kind of wanted to explain that last bit for no reason. XD Anyway, REVIEW PLEASE OR I'LL MAKE BELARUS PLAY WITH YOU LIKE SHE DID WITH THE CHUNK OF WOOD! Love you all~
Hiroko-chan103
^- Thanks for reviewing! *gives internet cookies* :D
