Yuuki no Yuki: Thanks. I was worried that the switch between events and history narration would look a little off. I like how you have grown attached to these interpretations of the characters, and your speculations amused me. Especially the one where you thought there were two versions of Russia (though the other guess, if it was correct, would have been a really horrible punch in the gut for Lili.) I owe you a big thank you for reviewing nearly every chapter: it makes me happy that someone liked the fan fic so much. I hope this final chapter is to your liking. :)
Darkness and Light: There's so many historical stories I wish the creator could do, and so many countries haven't been introduced yet! The one this was based off has great potential to be awesome or funny. It's been awhile since the first time I wrote that chapter, but I wanted to go for the darker side of Russia, when I wrote out the Soviet incarnation, and I wanted to write a Liechtenstein who was capable of being stronger than what I had seen of her (again, history helped write the plot.)
And the thing about Russia's heart popping out of him was a bit of inspiration for chibi Russia too (And now I'm imagining Russia's heart being hurled out of his chest at 80 mph from the nuke to the back). Also, I kind of wondered how you would react when you would see that the OC's would get their happy ending. :) I'm glad you liked it. Anyway, this fan fic was originally written under the name HolyMaiden on deviant art, and there is a lot more fan art of these two... I kind of feel a little 'meh' about some of them now.
-and so-
Thank you to those who read this fan fic. I am happy that I brought it to and fixed it, so it could be read as it deserved to be read, with little to no error (there were some grammar changes too).
Now, this chapter had a poem at the beginning entitled The end of the Monster (La fin d'un Monstre) by Paul Eluard, which concerns the fabled minotaur. I can't find online proof that he wrote that today, other than it was inspired by a Piccaso piece, but I am including it still, because it has some relevance to the chapter.
And so...
Chapter 8: Welcome to the 90's
It means you must die, to know that your still alive.
The sea is high, and your heart is very low,
Son of Earth eating flowers, fruit of the ash
in your chest, forever darkness covers the sky
Sun releases the rope, dance over the walls
do Sun leave birds impenetrable ways.
The end of the Monster (La fin d'un Monstre) by Paul Eluard
-and so...-
Time had passed since the second World War.
Many things had happened: some were good, but there was also the bad, including a tension that resulted in the aftermath of that war for quite sometime. Many of such conflicts didn't fail to escape the entire world at times, and the legacy of the war seeped into the days yet to come. Countries would unify or drift apart: often in tragedy.
...And then, the last decade of the twentieth century came.
"Oh! Brother!" Lili beamed as she noticed Vash sitting on the sofa, reading the daily newspaper. "You're home early- brother?" She noticed Vash was looking quite serious, yet there was something like... pity, maybe? Both of them had been doing wonderfully, in the recent years, and worrying about money was no longer an issue at the moment, so it was rare to see Vash concerned over anything nowadays.
Her brother glanced up to her as she repeated "Brother what is it?"
"It's... it's Ivan Braginsky."
the smaller Nation tried her hardest to keep her worry from revealing itself to Vash. She knew that the Soviet Union, in comparison to the siblings, had undergone some uneasy times for awhile, especially in the last decade, and that most of the Nations under it were breaking off for independence. What sort of problem was facing him while he sitting on his red throne now?
"He ...he's ok, isn't he?" Despite what had happened between them, despite that he had separated Gilbert from Ludwig as punishment for what had been done, Lili still felt some kind of concern for the larger Nation. When Vash answered, it was neither happy, nor upset, but it was calm, for Vash had seen and heard of
"...It's over Lili. The Soviet Union no longer exists."
Lili's eyes widened and she nearly let out a gasp. The Soviet Union was gone forever? But... "So what will happen to Mr. Braginsky? Will he die?!" Lili frantically asked. " Mr. Beilschmidt still lives, even though he's no longer a country. Could Mr. Braginsky sti-"
"He's ok Lili." Vash assured her. "Braginsky is still whole as a Nation, since that's all that. It's just that he's going to need quite a bit of time to recover, but it could get worse before things get better."
"I... see." Lili stared at the floor as she thought back to the past. "How did it happen?'
"Too much power, not enough support, political tensions, cover-ups, he could have toppled from underneath, too many disasters: many things can make us fall from such a high place." Vash pondered.
She ended up being right: Ivan couldn't keep everyone under him, no matter how hard he tried to. The Great Bear had finally collapsed.
-later-
A few more years had passed since then, but Lili was finding it hard to resist her urges nowadays. Even if she knew what brother would say, she couldn't put them off anymore.
But the question was... how to go about them?
"Hey, um, big brother?" Lili gulped as she prepared herself for her goal. "...Could I... perhaps visit Mr. Kirkland for a few days?"
"Huh? Why would you want to visit Arthur?" Vash was puzzled.
"I just thought it would be nice to go on a little vacation on my own. I think I can afford a few days off, and I'm pretty sure you still have things to take care of." It hurt her to be lying to her brother again, and the idea of going off on a holiday without him would normally upset her, but this was something she had to do on her own, without any interruptions. "I just- I need to do something I've almost forgot to do."
"...If you wish." Vash closed his eyes and nodded: he was more relaxed in concern for Lili's safety, now that things were doing well, but it didn't stop it completely, for her sake. "I guess it wouldn't hurt, as long as you promise to leave if Francis shows up."
Lili's happiness was genuine as she beamed. "Thank you so much brother! I promise I'll wait until you can afford the time to go on a vacation, the next time I want to do it again!"
She had called Arthur as soon as the matter was arranged, to make preparations. He was surprised at first, even reluctant sounding (no surprise, considering she was Vash's sister, of all people, who wished to the insane) but then she explained her reasons for doing what she was about to do. All the plans were carefully laid out- every little mishap or excuse needed to be made up were worked out carefully.
The next week, she was on the plane headed west-bound, but then got on a plane heading north-east without stopping.
-somewhere north of the world-
As soon as the plane hit the ground, Lili felt her stomach flip flop again and tried to remember why she was doing this. She had no clue what to expect, and in the event something didn't go as planned, what would she do, other than go to England and stay for no real reason? She now had to wait for the driver that Arthur arranged to pick her up.
It was terribly freezing cold outside when she left the airport: the bitter weather immediately bit into her exposed face, causing her to pull her emerald green scarf over half of her face and pull her woolen beanie down her head. (She wore a coat that was big enough to almost reach her knees, and long boots, but what on earth made her think wearing tights, of all things, would be ok?) As much as she hated to do it, she had to wait outside until her driver would come to pick her up- and standing there, shivering in the cold kept her from thinking straight for an agonizing fifteen minutes.
"Miss Zwigli?"
She could see her sigh of relief in the form of a fog of white in the air when the person that got out of the vehicle that came up and called her name. She eagerly took up her single bag of luggage and dashed into the warmth of the car, which didn't have a heater, but she could care less.
She told the driver the location she needed to go to. He was very, very worried when she told him the exact street and number, and she had to strongly insist that she needed to go there when he tried to persuade her otherwise. Upon seeing that she was not going to give up, and was told that it was 'business' he gave in.
It was quite a sight from the window of her side; There truly were cathedrals that looked more like palaces out of a fairy tale here and there, and the snow somehow added to their beauty. However, she could see the negative side: many people looked to be in dire poverty, and it crushed her as she sympathized with their situation in understanding. Seeing this world- this land of long winters- was a refreshing change for her, to know more about what was beyond the parts of Europe that she knew.
Half an hour later, they made it to the house, which was nestled in a slightly forested area, despite how there seemed to be a lack of nature near the large city. To Lili's surprise, it was a two story house, simple and well cared for, but it still made her break out in figurative sweat.
Would she be shut out, or would an attempt be made to keep her shut away in there for forever?
As she examined it, the driver turned and asked "Are you sure this is the place? I can wait for you, just in case- this isn't a place I'd leave someone like you here without worrying, if you don't mind."
"This is it." Lili stiffly nodded as she gathered her luggage and reached into her pocket to pay the driver. As she handed him the money she added. "Otherwise, I would have changed my mind by now."
"I see." The driver checked the money for the proper amount before putting it away. "Just let me make sure you can get in there: this isn't a place anyone would want to intrude on, or get the wrong number."
"Thank you for your concern- and please keep the change." Lili gave him a grateful smile and went out into the bitter cold again. She gulped upon seeing the house and the door: it was now or never.
She walked as fast as she could- luggage on wheels in tow behind her- until she got to the door and rang the bell while already shivering in the lack of time spent outside. Luckily, she didn't have to wait long for the door to open, and the lone resident of the house to look at her in disbelief.
He clearly was not expecting her, of ALL the people he knew to appear before him.
Lili was wondering if she was only doing this on an old impulse, and was convinced that she was making a mistake as the man looked out to the cab, then back to her.
"...You're the one Arthur sent?" Ivan asked curiously.
"...Well, yes and no." Lili admitted.
"And your brother-
"It's only me Mr. Braginsky." Lili assured him. He didn't seem entirely convinced though.
"Come inside," Ivan made up his mind and stepped with the door as he moved out of the way for her. "I can't have you out here like that."
-minutes later-
She found herself in the sitting room by his fireplace, where the fire within was making her feel much better in mere seconds. She had already needed to remove her hat, gloves, and coat, and was in the middle of taking off her scarf when Ivan offered her a warm drink, to which she gratefully accepted. She sank into one of the sofas by the fireplace after she finished taking the scarf off and put her luggage next to her and tried to get her hands to be warm as she stretched her hands towards the fire. It wasn't long before he re-entered the sitting room with a mug of tea and gave it to the younger looking Nation before sitting across from her, in the sofa nearest to the fireplace. He watched as she blew on it and took a quick sip before he finally spoke up.
"So, Zwigli, why are you here without your brother? I was expecting he would be here too, but I'm sure he would be stressed by now if you were separated."
"...He thinks I'm in the UK." Lili informed him as she set the mug on the table. "I told him I wanted a vacation, but I was sure he would say no if he knew I meant your country. I had Arthur help me, just to be safe."
This trickery humored Ivan. "Ah I see... you have a cunning side, and you went against your brother. I like that."
"I..guess I picked it up somewhere." Lili recalled the moments in the Alps from back then, but tried to suppress it, for her own sake. "I'm sorry I came right to you- I can go get a cab now if it bothers you-" Ivan raised his hand up in protest.
"Don't. It would take to much time to go from here to the city, and I don't want you to freeze out there in the cold for a taxi- they never stop anywhere near here, thanks to my reputation. Plus, it's been dangerous here lately, so your better off with someone than walking out there by yourself."
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Lili was horrified and found herself feeling a bit flustered- why did she have to be so stupid?! "I wasn't planning to intrude and stay in your home. I meant to get a hotel room, but I wanted to visit you, so I should have done that in the first place! I'm terribly sorry Mr. Braginsky, you must be mad at me!"
"It's alright Zwigli." Ivan shook his head. "You don't have to worry- I don't mind it at all. I rather enjoy having company, when I have the chance."
"...Oh." Lili calmed down, and felt a wave of relief. "Thank goodness."
There was a long pause of silence, as she turned her head towards the fire.
"That's quite a beautiful scarf you have." Ivan noted. "Is it hand made?"
Lili startled when he said this, and glanced back to him. "Oh, this?" Lili couldn't tell what he was thinking, but she tried to remind herself not to get her hopes up. "It was made for me by a friend."
"You were clearly very special to them if they took the time to make it so long and so thick." Ivan complimented. "That IS good quality yarn after all."
It was at this moment, Lili noted he was wearing his own scarf- that familiar article of clothing seemed to have lasted through time itself, and was already reminding her of the past again.
"Why did you wish to come here?" Ivan asked, curiosity back once again. "This really isn't the best place in the world to visit right now, and I cant imagine what reason you would have to see my homeland when it... when it's like the way it is now, or chose a time when the weather is at it's worst."
"...I've wanted to visit for quite sometime." Lili's voice lowered a little as she confessed. "That same friend once told me that there was beauty hiding here, despite all the hardships that have happened. I said I wasn't able to at the time... I was sure I couldn't because of brother, or that I had to take care of my people when they needed me the most."
She stared into the fire once more: she watched it flicker as the logs blackened and charred as she finished off her tea.
She glanced back to Ivan, but she noted that he was looking at her in a peculiar way... he seemed to be looking at her as if she was some kind of puzzle.
"So this isn't about the Royal Family's belongings that I took from you, is it?"
"No, not really-
"I don't mind returning them to you. I have no use for them, but I'm sure that your people would like to have what's rightfully theirs once more." He nodded. "Yes, I'll see to it, if you can forgive me for that."
"I appreciate it." Lili smiled warmly and set the empty mug down on top of her luggage, unsure of where else would be polite to do so. "I wasn't here for that, but I would like that very much."
"Err..." Lili glanced back up to him. "So, how have you been doing lately?"
"I'm having trouble keeping my country together, after all that's happened." Ivan admitted. "We still have poverty and crime to deal with, but I have some hope."
So, there had been a reversal in their fates.
"But that's not what depresses me the most." Ivan frowned. "I miss having the others in my home: the Baltics, my sisters... I wished they didn't leave, but I think I know why now. Maybe it was for the best... but there are times where I just feel so lonely when I'm by myself."
"But you can still ask them to visit, right?" Lili pointed out. "And you got friends-
"I don't." Ivan sighed and slunk back into the sofa, and never had Lili seen him look so defeated. "I don't know if I could use that word. I've scared off Toris and the others, my big sister says her boss refuses to have us visit, and my younger sister has been stalking me with bad intentions as of now. The others are still untrustworthy of me and... I guess I forgot the right way to meet people again." He confessed with such depressed sorrow, that it was almost heart-breaking. "Maybe I have been going about trying to keep people close the wrong way."
Even though one could almost say his new situation was his fault, she felt sorry for him that he had to find this flaw about himself out in such a crushing fashion.
Maybe it wouldn't hurt if she offered to be friends with him. He needed one, after all that had happen to him, and maybe a different attempt at going about making connections was what he needed. (Not that she would say anything about it, to spare his feelings.)
"...You know," Lili shyly began . "I- I wouldn't mind having someone accompany me and tell me about your homeland while I'm here."
"I guess what I'm saying is that," Lili realized her mistake of not being clear enough and quickly explained when Ivan's attention was back to her. "If you need someone to be your friend, then I wouldn't mind being one, if you don't mind, a-and if your not so busy right now, I would like it if you came with me."
Like snow, Ivan melted out of his depression upon hearing this and was stunned by the proposal, but he was a little hesitant. "Are you absolutely sure you would be comfortable around me? I doubt your brother would approve, for one thing."
"I can never turn away from someone in need." Lili reminded him. "I was there for your people once, and I would like to be here for you too."
Here was this Nation, offering out of her own free will to be his friend. It was unfamiliar to him, but he was grateful for her kindness.
"I've got plenty of money with me, so I don't mind paying for anything for the both of us." Lili frantically waved her hands. "I wanted to go sight seeing, and I think I'll save the ballet for another visit-
"You don't need to do that. You've just had to pay fo-
"No," She firmly declined "I don't like the idea of putting someone through using their own money if they are in financial debt or if they need to survive at the moment. I will pay for everything." Ivan opened his mouth to speak, but he saw that she was clearly going to remain firm about it.
"...So," Ivan gave up and changed the subject. "I appreciate your selflessness, but you said you were interested in seeing the ballet?"
"I heard you're country is the best when it comes to ballet, but I've never been to any performances before. I wasn't expecting that I would definitely see one when I made plans, so I can wait a little longer- I'm in no hurry."
"Do you like dancing in general, Zw- Lili?"
"I do. I like dancing with others, but I don't see myself as a performer."
"Would you like to dance now?"
"Huh? What do you mean?" She asked as he got out of the sofa and stretched his hand out. "Perhaps something to do in the meantime, until tomorrow." he chuckled a bit as he closed his eyes and smiled.
"If you wish." Lili got up and took his hand, thinking that he would lead her to another section of his house, but instead, he lead her over to an old fashioned phonograph that was in the middle of the side of the room opposite the fireplace. He opened up the cabinet underneath, selected a blue envelope, and placed the record inside onto the phonograph. A light, slow waltz began playing when he placed the needle onto it.
"Come," He lead her to the more spacious area of the sitting room. Due to size difference, he placed his free hand over the cup of her shoulder and waited while she placed her other hand a little above his waist. Lili was aware that her heart was pounding nervously for some odd reason as they began with a slow shuffle.
Eventually, they moved into a more active series of steps, in a sort of waltz, or a pattern that Lili had no knowledge of while they rotated in a circle. Soon, Lili noticed that her hand was out to her side and in Ivan's own, though she didn't remember how that happened.
Gradually, she felt at ease, but Lili wasn't sure what was going through the Russian's head. She was at eye level with the middle of his body, but whenever she glanced up to look at him, Ivan either had his eye's closed in contentment or was keeping an eye on where they were moving. But if this was making him happy, she didn't mind this at all.
However, they had danced into another song when she noted his eyes were shut tightly, as if he was thinking about something that seemed to give him difficulty, or was racking his mind for something.
She hoped he wasn't re-thinking about having her over. She got scared at that as the music continued- she felt the old fear of being abandoned kick in, but part of her worried that he had a bad trick planned up for her. Was he going to lock her in his home and keep her away from the rest of the world out of his loneliness?
Without warning his hands moved downwards, and as she uttered a "Huh?!" Lili found herself picked up into the air and was spun upward around him, like one dancer would for his partner. It didn't even stop there, as she suddenly found herself embraced into Ivan, dearly, as if she were something precious to him. It was starting to get frightening when time passed and he didn't speak a word, while still holding her off the ground.
"M-mr. Br-Braginsky?" Lili worriedly asked. "Is something wrong?"
"Ivan."
"Huh?"
"You said I didn't have to keep calling you little one and that I should use your name, so you can call me Ivan, if you wish."
"I...I don't remember making that agreement."
"It was when your brother flung me into the Alps, remember Lili?"
Lili was wondering if he was losing his sanity, but then his words sparked a memory: a humorous memory from difficult times, of her brother throwing someone into the mountains. "I remember when you talked about dancing before... it's nice to finally dance with you."
No...it couldn't be that- could it?!
Lili pushed away from Ivan a bit, but he still kept a hold on her as those purple eyes glowed with familiarity. "Please tell me that you're not joking with me." She almost pleaded.
"I'm not joking!" Ivan joyfully drew her back in the embrace. "And I'm happy to see that you finally got my gift!"
"So, you remember when that part of you was in my country?!"
"You could say that, but it feels more like I was truly there to begin with."
Lili tightly squeezed Ivan back, with all her heart. "Me too." She found her eyes welling up again as she quietly replied. "I appreciate that gift- I've treasured it for a very long time."
"Then please consider our reunion a little secret for now."
She felt a light kiss of ever-lasting gratitude upon her forehead as he set her back down.
Thank you for reading. :)
