Cries of Regret (Chapter Eight)

I sighed, resting my arms on Latvia, "I don't know how to explain it Latvia. He just doesn't ok? I suck at explaining things." He wiped his eyes and I looked out the greenhouse walls. The colored glass slightly obscured the view, but I could see enough to recognize the other two Baltics running out of the house. "Latvia," I said softly. "Your brothers are coming to find you. Stay here ok?" He nodded, mute for the moment and I walked out of the greenhouse.

As soon as Estonia saw me, I pointed to the greenhouse. He nodded and started to walk over there. Lithuania followed him and I walked back up to the house. "Ivan." The door swung closed behind with a thud that reminded me unpleasantly of all the bad horror movies I'd even watched. "Ivan, come on." My voice echoed through the house. "What?" his voice sounded strange. 'Damn it. He's drinking already?' I thought to myself. I walked across the massive hallway and peered into the kitchen.

There was a bottle of vodka sitting right in the middle of the table. There was a glass sitting next to it and another in front of Russia. "Alexandreina… what is it?" As he said that, he refilled the glass, drinking the vodka in a split second. I picked up the other glass and sat down across from him. "You're going to drink with me?" I sighed. As a general rule, I didn't drink straight vodka… "Sure."

Russia slowed down after a few shots. I watched, intrigued. He never slowed down. "Feeling better?" I asked, hiccupping slightly. Damn vodka shots. "Yeah… You ok?" I rolled my eyes, "Hey. I'm not that bad of a drinker." I brushed my hair back from my eyes. "Bottle's almost empty," I observed. "Oh that. That's not a problem." He pulled out a few more bottles, placing them on the table. "Huh. You're determined to get me drunk aren't you?" I asked him, only slightly kidding.

After we burned through the second and third bottles, a pleasant buzz had started up. "We have to slow down. At this rate, I'm going to be so drunk," I said casually. "Is that bad? Oh, and there's a meeting later," he sounded completely fine, despite the fact that he'd drunk more than me. "Wait… there's a meeting later? And we're drinking straight vodka?" I asked, refilling the two glasses. "Yes to both. And you're encouraging it, сестренка (little sister)," he answered. "Is that bad? I can go put the vodka back." He grabbed the bottle off the table, "That's not funny, Dreina." I drank the rest of what was in my glass, "I was kidding."

Russia put the bottle back on the table and refilled my glass. "Voi fi atât de beat... (I'm gonna be so drunk…)," I said, reverting into Romanian. Right before Russia could answer, Lithuania came running in. "Romania! Can you come outside?" I pushed my chair out, "I guess. You mind, fratele mai mare? (older brother)" He shook his head, refilled his glass, and drank it down. I turned to Lithuania, "What is it?" He pointed outside and started walking. I sighed and followed him.

"You know how to stop bleeding right?" Lithuania asked me. "Yeah. Learned how to in the War. Why do you ask?" He sighed, "Latvia…" I shut my eyes, biting the inside of my lip. "What happened?" I asked hesitantly. He shrugged, "Not sure. He's just bleeding all over." "He's in the greenhouse, ja?" Lithuania nodded and started to say something. "No. Just go get bandages… and some rubbing alcohol." "Rubbing alcohol? Are you-" he stopped talking as I opened the door. "Do not question me," I said quietly. "Just go get the things I asked for." He nodded and ran out. Estonia was sitting by Latvia's side. The smaller country was lying down, breathing shallowly. Surrounding him was a pool of shockingly bright crimson. "Estonia. Where's it coming from?" He looked up, "H-his back." I knelt down by them. "Latvia," I whispered. "Latvia, can you hear me?" His eyes opened slightly, "Am I going to die?"

A child's question fell from his lips. "No," I said, determination flaring up in my eyes. "Not if I can do anything." He reached up a trembling hand, "I'm so scared…" Estonia looked over at me, alarmed. "Go to sleep, Latvia. When you wake up, things will be better." Latvia looked up at me and obediently closed his eyes. "Estonia. Stay here with him. I need to go find Lithuania…" I said, standing up. He looked ready to protest, but I left the greenhouse before a single word could leave his lips.