I walked around to the back of the house with Russia-cat in my arms following behind the others. A hand was placed on my shoulder and I turned to see Russia. "Oh hey!" I said with a smile. Russia raised a hand and patted my head. "Can we talk for a minute? Country to country, Da?" I nodded, mostly in confusion and wonder, and placed Russia-cat on the ground to roam around. "Yeah, what's the matter?" He lead me over to the side of the house, "I know you have feelings for Britain, and I am okay with that, but.." he sighed and looked away, "I am afraid to lose you."

I stood there in shock. "Why?! Russia I would never leave you- I will never leave you. You're my best friend and I love you like a brother!" Russia continued to look away. "I know that... but you are my only friend and I am afraid that if you spend too much time with Britain then you'll forget about me… my childhood was not a happy one and I do not want to relive that." I looked up at the mighty country with a tight feeling in my chest. "Russia.." I reached a hand up and rubbed his cheek, "I could never forget about you. It's impossible for me to." He nodded a little and locked his gaze onto mine. "I can't lose you." "And you won't. I'll never leave as long as you don't want me to."

Russia nodded slightly, hugged me tightly, and kissed the top of my head. "I swear you won't lose me, Russia." He nodded again. "I believe you." His grip on me was slight but still strong. He pulled me closer into his chest and hummed a little, seeming scared to let me go. I rubbed his back to comfort him a little bit. "Would you like me to move back in with you sooner than planned?" He nodded and pulled me closer still. "Alright. That won't be a problem." He looked at me somewhat confused, "How?" I briefly look up at him and smile, "Whenever I'm with America, hell breaks loose and shit hits the fan. You know it does."

America walked in at that moment and stared at the two of us. He raised a sharp eyebrow and looked at Russia. "what's up with Russia?" I paused and looked up at the mighty country, "I was just asking if it was alright for me to go back with him after the party. I know I said that I would stay for around a solid 4 days but I'm dying in this sun and I'm getting home sick.." Alfred looked from me to Russia then laughed a little, "of course, dude! You stayed here for like 3 days which was 2 nights so that's close enough to 4." "Thank you, Alfie." "I TOLD YOU NOT TO CALL ME THAT!" "Sorry! Force of habit."

I stretched as we made our way back around the house and I walked inside, sitting on the nearest couch with Russia, Arthur and Alfred talking out before the porch. "Russia," He looked down, "Da?" "How come you barely ever call me by my country name?" He looked out as if to give it a thought, "Because you never call me Ivan, it is only fair that I respect you as well." I raised an eyebrow, "You can always use either name you know." He nodded and closed his eyes, I pet his hair back and leaned against him, one eye open. Many of the countries had begun working on various elements of the party America was going to throw last minute while others had made their way around to talk some more about various topics.

Taking a deep breath, I slid down to lay on my back and looked up at the ceiling. "From now on you can call me Ivan, da?" I opened my other eye and looked at him with a small smile and nodded, "Don't be afraid to call me by either name." He gave the same response as I had with mutual respect. He pet my head since it was visible that I was tired and I relaxed immensely. "You can sleep, Faroe," he blushed lightly from using the alternate name which felt foreign to the tongue. I smirked and nodded, "With pleasure, you'll be fine if I sleep?" he nodded, "I stay right here so no silly country bothers you."

-Britain's POV-

"Dude I realize that she doesn't want a party but did it ever occur to you that she doesn't get much recognition and she actually secretly enjoys the attention?" I cocked an eyebrow and America laughed, "There go the bushes! But seriously bro she like totally needs a rockin' party even if it's not today." "Don't mention my eyebrows you tosser! Why would you change the party if everyone is already here?!" He grabbed me by the shoulder and pulled me inside the door to look upon the scene.

Emily was already asleep, curled up on her side with her head on Russia's lap. She is so small, I wonder what her history is with others. It is obvious how she was treated by other countries because of how she carries herself but I wonder what made her that way. Alfred's cat jumped up next to her and curled up on her feet to soak up the heat. "I don't understand how that girl is so comfortable with him, he's so creepy. You're only one year older than her, what do you think?" Alfred laughed again and smiled, "you're asking the 15-year-old for help? Wow, you've grown desperate!" "Now is not the time to be insulting me! Just answer the damned question!"

"Fine fine don't get your panties in a knot, broski! To be honest, I don't know why she is comfortable, but what I do know is that when she lived with me when she was little she was picked on and bullied by a lot of the kids around here. One day she came home with a bloody nose and a black eye but surprisingly enough she wasn't crying. When I asked what happened she told me she was hit by a bunch of boys for being too weird. Of course, after that, I almost killed the kids, but she comes from a dark history. At age 6 a girl should not be tormented. I think she may feel that connection to Russia through her past."

I stood silently and watched her calm face, hair slowly sliding down over her cheek. "Why does she not stay with you anymore?" He chuckled, "Dude, that ship sailed SOOOO long ago! We could never agree on anything and so finally she decided to leave.. that was 2 years ago," there was a pain in his eyes. "It hurts to lose someone you care about," he looked at me, finally understanding the pain he had caused me. How could this one country affect so many others and she is 5 years younger than me.