A/N Hey everyone, how are we all? I'm a tad peachy myself. Sorry for the lack of BelaRus (haha, see what I did there?) in the last chapter. Anyway, onwards to this chapter!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Hetalia

The feeling of emptiness

Chapter 13

The second time they entered the room, Nickolai was the one to lead. He trotted forward with his chin thrust forward with some self-found dignity. Natalia trailed after him, slightly baffled with his lack of reaction. It made her slightly suspicious of her sibling, what exactly is he up to?

The room was not as noisy as it had been the previous time they entered. It seemed as if the events before shocked the occupants of the room into speaking with a decent manner with each other. Apart from the occasional error corrections that Britain supplied to help his American friend, the meeting was very abnormally quiet indeed.

As the sound of Nickolai's hefty black boot resounded against the glossy marble surface the occupants turn their heads towards the stranger. And then to the now quiet Belarus, who trailed behind him. Germany, who stopped drumming his fingers against the table, eyed to the man with suspicion. He stood up slowly, watching the young man's every move like a hawk. Placing his gloved hands behind his back he paced around the stranger with an intimidating quality.

'Who are you?' he demanded with a tone of authority.

'What's it to you?' Nickolai delivered coldly, blankly returning the German's stare. This made his interrogator slightly impressed, so he can keep his cool?

'You're in a meeting that's specifically set up for the nations of the world. As a nation, it has 'everything to do with me'.' He replied, dragging the last bit, as if speaking to an infant.

Belarus stepped in front of her brother protectively, 'He's my b-'

'Bodyguard,' Nickolai cut her off. Bela looked at him with a raised eyebrow, he countered with a warning glance.

'Yes, bodyguard,' she confirmed, hoping nobody caught their silent conversation.

Germany squinted at the women distrustfully. 'Why do you need a bodyguard?'

'Why do you constantly have a stick up your arse?' she countered in a sugary tone, smiling sweetly.

Germany flinched at her expression slightly. After all the years working with her, he knew Belarus and sweet didn't mix well.

'Face it sweetheart, Nat always wins with words,' Nickolai said, grinning at Germany's sour expression.

'Nat?' German asked confused, his eyes shifted between the man and the women. Belarus mentally face palmed, ands silently begged for one of the other nations to interrupted the discussion.

'N-Nat?' Nickolai stuttered nervously, realising his mistake. 'I meant bat- The old bat always wins with words.' Belarus hit her sibling in the head, hard. Ouch, he winced, that's going to leave a mark.

Before the conversation could progress any further Japan, sensing the discomfort of his fellow nations, began to talk about the progression of Japanese manga in the world. At which America immediately retorted comics were 'way better'. Belarus silently thanked the man of few words and dragged her sibling to the only seats that were free, across the one she painfully loved.

Russia glared at the man across him; he didn't like him, not at all. There was something about the way Belarus smiled at the bast- Well; he didn't give off a good vibe.

Nickolai noticed the Russian's stares a long time ago, along with a couple of other curious pairs of eyes. He snarled at a few of them, making them shrink in their seats, looking away. Smirking triumphantly he met the Russians gaze. It wasn't on him anymore, it was on his sister.

Bela was staring aimlessly at her hands which were set on the table. Nickolai patted them in gentle encouragement, making her smile softly. He noticed his sisters endless worries flicker in her darting eyes, he noticed how she slightly faked that look of self-confidence- keeping something hidden, and he also noticed the flicker of emotion from the Russian man whose gaze was now fixated upon the siblings clasped hands.

'What a whore,' he scoffed to no one in particular.

Belarus looked up towards him in alarm, as did a few others. Nickolai stared at him in vehement disgust. 'Excuse me?' he spat. He definitely didn't like the way that THING regarded her.

'You heard me,' Russia replied, giving Nickolai a small smile.

'Oh, I heard you just fine…' he growled. He let go of Bela's hand and began to advance towards the Russian.

'Nick!' Bela cautioned, grabbing the back of his shirt. He glanced at her, noticing the water in her eyes. Softening with concern, he backed down.

'I'll get you,' he warned, glaring towards the smirking man across him.

Bela turned towards him for a moment, her lip trembling slightly. She noticed all the stares around them; this wasn't a good time to break down. 'In your own time,' she said softly. She realised how feeble that sounded and then quickly cleared her throat averting her gaze towards the unwanted audience. 'Proceed,' she stated, her lips were pressed into a firm line. Her cold demeanour gave nothing away- she seemed to have turned back to normal. If it wasn't for the fact that she was completely ignoring the man across the table.

Clearing his throat awkwardly, Germany resumed his speech on world economy.

Nickolai couldn't a concentrate on the conversations around him. He was too transfixed with his quiet sister. And then he gazed towards Russia, who also seemed to be in deep thought. There's something going on between them two… but what?

A thought suddenly crossed him. The man that Natalia loves… could it be him? He stared at Russia intently, trying to find an appealing quality. I guess he's pretty…muscular…But no way! Nat wouldn't like someone so…callous.

He then peered at his sister. She glanced up to her beloved Russian, catching his stare then her gaze fell back to her hands.

Nickolai didn't miss the bright pink blush blossoming on her cheeks. He calculated the possibilities, looking between the man and women who both were in their own little worlds. What are the chances?

As Russia was distracted, Nickolai saw the way Bela's eyes fluttered lightly at the man, her face seemed to glow. Her lips formed two silent words:

'Big Brother…'

'Shit,' he softly cursed.

Well, more BelaRus interaction next chapter ( NOTE-TO-SELF). Hopefully you enjoyed it; I really do appreciate the reviews. Thanks for reading!

~SilentSicarius