Latvia Latvia Latvia
"Urgh!" Latvia groaned as he made his way up the steps. His hands were slick from blood and his unconscious brother seemed heavier than ever as he not-so-carefully dragged him. He knew he was pretty weak compared to the rest of the household, but there was no way that he was leaving Estonia downstairs in the pile of glass and blood with the knocked out Russia by his side.
Heaving, Ravis managed to push the dead weight onto the top step. He collapsed beside the older Baltic in exhaustion, breathing in the metallic air with disgust. As he wiped his forehead from sweat, he found that just spread the blood more. Luckily, most of the blood had not been from his brother. That had come from Russia, who had taken a direct hit from the knocked over cabinet. Ravis shivered as he recalled the brutal image that was still engraved in his mind. He had done that. He had caused that.
Tiredly, Latvia rolled his head to look at Estonia.
But I did it to protect you. He was going to kill you, brother.
Ravis shivered. If Russia did wake up, it was going to be the second most terrifying moment in his life. He just prayed he would be able to get Eduard safely inside their room before then. That definitely gave Latvia enough motivation to drag himself to his feet and attempt to slide his broken brother down the upstairs hallway.
When Latvia had reached their small room, he was drenched in a mixture of sweat, blood, and bits of glass that had hit him in the after spray. Grabbing the handle to the bedroom, Latvia twisted it and sighed in relief. I made it… We made it… Finally picking Eduard off the ground, (with much difficulty), the young Baltic awkwardly shouldered the comatose man and carried him to their triple bed. Estonia was dropped unceremoniously on the sheets before Latvia collapse on the floor, absolutely drained of energy.
It took a moment before he finally got up, picking out bits of glass from his reddened fingers as he did. He discarded his wet uniform jacket and aired out his undershirt, trying to rid him of the sickly blood smell. What to do first? He thought as he stared at his brother.
Estonia had taken some damage. Though the cabinet escapade was meant for Russia only, the spill of endless china and glass had affected his brother as well. He had many cuts and bits of glass lodged into his skin, though it was nothing like Russia. Ravis couldn't help but shudder at the ghastly state he had left the man in.
Think of Eduard right now. He quickly reminded himself.
Estonia had also taken a few hits directly from Russia, which caused his face to be bruised a bit. Latvia sincerely hoped it was Russia that had caused Estonia to fall into unconsciousness, not himself. One of the bigger of the marks was on Eduard's right arm, which was bleeding a little more than everywhere else.
I need water. Lots of water and some medical supplies. Ravis thought hurriedly, his eyebrows creased in worry, I can get both from the bathroom….
Giving his brother another look of jittery anticipation, the small nation whisked himself out of their room and into the hallway. The shadows seemed to grab at him as he passed Russia's room, where he had been not so long ago. Shivering, Latvia made his way into the restroom, keeping the door open in case Russia woke up.
Water…. I need a bucket and some rags for that.
Looking under the sink, Latvia found a pail with some rags already stowed away inside for cleaning. He pulled them out, setting the cloths to the side as he rinsed the bucket to make sure no left over chemicals were still inside. When he was satisfied, he began to fill it up, leaving the bucket in the sink.
He quickly flicked the faucet and heaved the heavy load before throwing the rags on his shoulder. Half waddling, half running, Latvia made his way back to their bedroom and set the pail beside his brother in exasperation. Wiping his forehead from sweat, Ravis castoff that duty and went rummaging through the Baltic's personal closet for the medical supply kit that they had in stock. Estonia was always prepared like that.
Again… What to do first…
Latvia looked over his brother. There were probably hidden injuries under his uniform, so the young teen decided the shirt would have to go. Quickly unbuttoning the green jacket, Ravis discarded the red mess before grimacing at the not-so white shirt.
Swallowing nervously, Latvia wetted the rag and dabbed it on Estonia's obvious injuries. How had it come to this? The tables had definitely turned a bit. I'm taking care of you, brālis. I stopped Russia this time. Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?
Ravis felt a weird sense of pride as he realized he wasn't shaking, despite the fact that he was still in the house with that maniac and was currently treating his brother's intense wounds. A small, but pleased smile appeared. Take that Russia. Who is the "little Latvia" now?
He dabbed at his brother's face, taking away the blood and sweat that had lined Estonia's features. Though, he was still not waking up. That bothered Latvia a bit. Even though he felt smugly over his small win against Russia, Ravis had no say in what would happen when the man would wake up. After all, Russia could take a few bullets and still be on his feet. Well… That isn't i-important anymore, r-right?
"Get yourself together, Latvia," he snapped aloud, "You're stuttering in your own thoughts."
Latvia then removed any glass that had stuck into Eduard's skin and prepared ointment and bandages for the bigger cuts. When he got to the arm, he winced at the gnarly color and shape. Something had ripped on the upper part that looked deep and only treatable by a professional. I'm no professional… But you're going to have to bear with me, Estonia…
It was running with slick blood, so Ravis constantly had to keep pressure on it as he situated his materials. He didn't want to even think about stitching the wound closed. Ravis could do many things, but sewing was not one of them. Let alone on an alive person. Instead, he disinfected the wound and put a glob of healing ointment on the cut. He put extra wrapping on this one, making sure no more blood could be seen.
Latvia looked down at himself, grimacing when he saw he was a mess.
"Wait for a sec, Eduard," Ravis murmured to the unconscious body. Estonia gave him no response.
The nation washed himself up in the bathroom, ridding any blood from his body. Maroon is a terrible color, Ravis decided.
I wonder if Lithuania has really been caught? If he did… Would this be a waste? The other nations st-still would be able to save us, right? Latvia chewed on his lip in worry. He ran his fingers through his hair, upset to see it was tinted a bit red. They caught little knots and crusted blood, which made Ravis want to gag. The mirror reflected his tired but alert eyes. Latvia looked down. He hated seeing those purple eyes, since he had the same.
The one that defined terror. The nation who would gladly sacrifice much more to make sure the Soviet states couldn't leave.
A lot has happened. If everything failed right now… I don't want to think how much more of blood w-will be spilt.
The Baltic blinked a few times to rid his mind of gory and unpleasant images. It was time to step up and help Estonia. He turned to leave, making sure the bathroom door closed behind him.
CREEEAAK.
Latvia had known of the squeaky step since his first years living in Russia's home. It was the second to last of the top steps. If you stepped anywhere near the center of the board, it would creak so bad it would wake up Russia. Ravis and his brothers had avoided that step as long as they could remember, in fear of disturbing the house's unavoidable silence. All but Russia, who didn't give a damn.
So that was why Ravis's heart dropped into the pit of his stomach in two seconds flat.
His light purple light flashed up at the mass of meat and glass that glared at him from the top of the staircase. Legs turning to jelly and mind completely numb, Latvia couldn't help but let out a tiny whimper.
Russia was heavily leaning on the staircase, still as cut up and maimed as Latvia had left him. But now he was actually conscious. And not happy.
H-h-How is he up already?!
The growl that ripped from the man's throat shattered Ravis's stunned mindset and set him in a run-for-your-life mode. And that was exactly what he did. Latvia sprinted to their shared room and slammed the door behind him. He had his back to the door, taking in heavy breaths as he thought about what in the hell he was going to do.
Russia wanted full control of the Baltics, so he had all of the door handles removed of their locks since the time they moved in with him. Which meant that the terrifying heap of death and destruction was right outside his door and could enter at any time.
Ravis quickly snapped out of his terrified state and searched around the room with his eyes.
What to do what to do what do?! What do I do!?
Latvia looked to the cabinet by the right hand wall.
That. I can barricade us in. I-I can make my own lock.
Racing over to the cabinet, Latvia grabbed the side, digging both his hands into the wood. He braced himself against the floor and took in a breath.
"One!"
Latvia squeezed his eyes shut.
"Two!"
He heaved himself back and then slammed into the cabinet.
"THREE!"
The cabinet groaned, screaming as it dragged across the floor. The drawers opened and shut as Latvia propelled the furniture forward, causing clothes and other things to topple out. The only working lamp tumbled off and broke with little reaction from Ravis. With the room encased in darkness and rays of moonlight, the cabinet stopped when it got to the front wall and wouldn't budge when the nation tried to push it any further.
"No!" Latvia spat, angry and panicked.
He turned to a different angle, back up and then charged at the heavy object.
SLAM! "Arugh!"
Ravis crumpled to the ground, cradling his hurt hand as he watched the cabinet tip and fall, just in front of the door. It wasn't close enough. Getting onto his knees, the Baltic frantically began pushing towards the door, his hand tingling in the process.
"LATVIA."
Ravis felt his skin prick with goose bumps. The sound of Russia's voice was so low and disturbing that Ravis could feel chills shock through him. H-how? How had he got to the door so fast in that state?
"Y-You're a demon, Russia!" Ravis screamed, feeling cold from his chilled sweat.
BANG!
Russia had begun pounding on the door.
Ravis let out a squeak, shoving back when the door moved.
"LITTLe LaTIvA," the voice cackled, "WHY Do YoU HiDE in THERE?"
BANG!
"S-s-stop!" Latvia yelled. The insane nature of the man oozed through the door and invested Ravis's mind in the dark.
"IS It BECaUSE YoU KNOW YoU'RE iN DeEP, DEeP TROUBLE?"
The little Baltic nation breathed heavily trying to calm his throbbing heart. Don't let him get to your head, don't let him get to your head, don't let him get to—
BANG! BANG!
"Eep!" Latvia whimpered.
This is the man who killed your people, who is utterly, utterly insane….
"Please just stop, just stop, please, Russia, it's o-over—" he began pleading.
"NO," Russia interrupted, slamming against the door in an ominous crunch, "IT ISN'T OVER. I STILL OWN YOU! YOU ARE STILL APART OF THE SOVIET UNION!"
Latvia's whole body rattled as Russia sent another pound to the door.
Latvia thought of both his brothers. Lithuania— who had gone through hell and back for him, and Estonia— who had fought against the monster who was currently outside their room. They had both been so, so strong.
What am I? Ravis thought, I am weak. I know that.
The little nation squeezed his eyes shut.
BANG!
No. I am strong. I was strong when I sang for my freedom, I was strong when I protected Estonia's plan, I was strong when I knocked over the cabinet, I was strong when I fixed Eduard up.
Latvia felt courage resurface within him. With it, he remembered his people. The anger, the sadness, the bravery….
Can I be strong just once more?
BANG!
Latvia's framed jolted as he withstood another powerful shock.
"YOU'RE W-WRONG MR. RUSSIA!" Ravis screamed back, "IT WAS OVER THE DAY YOU TOOK LITHUANIA!"
"Govno!" Russia cursed as another crunch of glass erupted.
"You— you aren't o-our leader if all y-you do is s-scare us into submission every chance you get," Latvia spat angrily, not able to control the emotion laced in his voice "You c-can't do that to nations, th-that isn't how it works—"
"YES IT IS!" Russia growled back, "You listen to me RIGHT now, little one, I am the one who keeps you alive, I am your superior, and I—"
Speak your mind in confidence, damn it!
"KLUSU!" Latvia interjected, "Shut up! I am not 'little one', you psycho! Leave me and my brothers alone!"
I am done. I can't live with this craziness anymore, the Baltic thought, I am tired of being small and weak and trembling. I am tired of this house and Russia and being away from my real home.
Ravis set his jaw and waited for another impact.
"LAATVIA," Russia hummed through the crack in the door. Ravis's body shook as the older man started to gain more ground than Latvia could manage.
"N-No!" he gritted out, his feet slipping on the wood beneath him, "No!"
BANG!
Latvia flew back as Russia finally had broke his way through. Groaning, the little nation looked up at the hulking figure, which looked like he could be a demon from hell. Ravis felt his body quiver at the sight. Never in his life had he seen Russia so mad and insane.
Stop shaking! Latvia shouted at himself mentally. But he couldn't, it was already ingrained into him to shake at Russia's presence.
I can't st-stop shaking, Ravis thought bitterly, But I c-can try to stop him.
So the Baltic tried picking himself up, spreading out his arms, and planting himself in front of his brother's body. He looked as if he were cross, protecting his last friend in Russia's home.
Russia heavily leaned, breathing raggedly as he did, but his aura was no less as intimidating. He let his head droop to the side, those strikingly purple eyes wide open and visible through his mess of hair and blood.
He let out a quick chuckle, beams of moonlight and strips of darkness crisscrossing his face as the man stumbled closer, which quickly melted into sickening glee.
"You look oh so tough Latvia," he cackled, bending over to grab the broken and jagged lamp, "I truly am scared."
"D-Don't get any closer," Ravis commanded, but his voice grew soft as the man laughed again, "I said d-don't get any cl-closer!"
"It is amusing that you are able stand like that," Russia chimed, raising the blunt weapon like an ax, "But will you be able to stand any longer?"
He is going to kill me. Russia is going to kill me, and then he'll kill Estonia—
"Ugh…." Came a moan from behind him.
"E-Estonia!" Latvia cried, glancing between his recovering brother and the madman.
Please don't try to get up!
The rustle of glass made Ravis turn full attention to Russia.
"Looks like Estonia wants to play also," he hummed, "You both need to be put it your place—"
"NO!" Ravis refused, "You are not hurting my brother! St-stay away!"
"L-Latvia?" came a croak from behind.
Ravis didn't dare take his eye off the looming man who looked even more entertained at the sight of Estonia.
"J-Just stay p-put, brālis, e-everything is g-going to be ok," Latvia whispered, his whole body trembling now, "D-Don't get u-up—"
The Baltic gasped when the lamp came hurtling by his face, nearly hitting him with it's jagged top. Before the boy could say anything in protest, the weapon was already being swung again.
"Wh-what is going on?" Eduard cried, "Russia stop— ack!"
Ravis could only guess Eduard was feeling the after effects of being beaten to a bloody pulp.
But Latvia could not focus on that right now.
Russia was having way too much fun hacking at the air around Latvia, almost tearing through the small boy like butter.
Pārdīvot, pārdīvot, pārdīvot, pārdīvot!
"Latvia!" Russia screamed in excitement as he brought it down again and again.
"ST-STOP!" came the strangled cry of Estonia.
Ravis dodged the fast blows, hearing the wind whirl as they were inches from his face. There was no time to slow down, and he began backing up and ducking so much, he had fallen into the back wall.
His breathing hitched. His eyes glanced from Russia, to his weapon, to Estonia, to the wall all in one moment.
What do I do?!
Latvia's eyes widened as the weapon and that deadly smile came crashing in on him. He dropped to the floor, his hands shooting up to his ears when a loud riiiiiiipp exploded above him. The lamp had demolished the piece of wall where his body had been, not two seconds ago.
"STOP! R-RUSSIA STOP YOU FUCKING MORON!" Latvia vaguely heard his brother scream.
Ravis stared up at the man with the same eyes as his. His beloved white scarf was the deepest of reds, much like the rest of his body. It was so unusual and bizarre to see the powerful nation without the perfect scarf. His soul was soiled if his scarf was soiled. And that was a scary thought.
But that wasn't what mattered. What mattered was that this man, this huge nation, was Latvia's reaper. It could kill him in an instant, or let him live.
And as the reaper, devoid of all life and sanity, raised his sickle, Ravis was sure there was no way this man of death was going to grant him life. Those heartless, sickly, pleading, unforgiving eyes stared into him and drown out all noise. He couldn't hear his brother screaming, nor could he hear the wind and sirens from outside. Latvia was left with just the thumping of his skull and those never ending purple stones.
Are my eyes like that? Ravis thought faintly, too scared to think anything else.
The bludgeon came down, almost in slow motion for the victim, who let out a dry scream as his death came closer and closer.
But before the weapon could hit, Latvia saw something he would never forget. Those insane, merciless, unending eyes grew dull. It was as if someone had filtered out the life that had previously shone through it. Ravis was too horrified to question it, but soon the weapon that had been set for his heart slipped from the man's grasp and fell into Latvia's lap like a discarded pillow. And then the man behind it all collapse with it.
Ravis was too stunned to do anything. He stared at the lifeless body that had crumpled before him, so confused and shocked. I-I am alive? I-I didn't die?
"RAVIS! VEND! RAVIS!"
It took a moment for Latvia to realize that his brother was yelling for him. Everything seemed to pick up on speed, and he finally comprehended who was slumped before him and what had just happened. Ravis scrambled to his feet, his mind now rushed with confusion and terror.
"Wh-wh-what happened?" Latvia whimpered, his eyes trained on Russia.
"Ravis, come here, right now," Estonia ordered, his face full of concern and mild pain.
"I-I-I don't understand, wh-why is Mr. R-Russia—!"
"C-Come here!"
Ravis scampered away from the scene, trying desperately to understand. Estonia was bedridden— he had only been able to prop himself up against the headboard, and even then he looked in pain. But, Latvia found himself curling up against his broken older brother, who gladly wrapped his arms around Ravis.
"Mu Jumal, Ravis I thought I was going to lose you," Eduard whispered.
Though he knew Estonia wanted some kind of response from him, Latvia could not take his eyes off the pile on their bedroom floor.
"Hey look at me," Estonia said quietly, still looking worried, "You are alright, we are going to be o-ok. You gotta—"
"Why did Russia… c-collapse?" Latvia interrupted.
Ravis became more confused as Estonia gave a small chuckle, wincing when his ribs complained.
"Lithuania made it. He's home."
Translations
Govno: Shit (Russian)
KLUSU!: BE QUIET! (Latvian)
Pārdīvot: Survive (Latvian
Vend and Brālis: (Estonian and Latvian
Mu Jumal: My God (Estonian)
Historical stuff and tid bits:
The Barricades: I explained this last chapter, but basically the country of Latvia is awesome
Russian Reaper: I made Russia a reaper this chapter D: The sickle is supposed to relate to the classical grim reaper story, but I also wanted to tie it with the Soviet flag, which has a sickle to represent its workers. It's also supposed to be a little ironic that the reaper was the one to get taken down
Author's Note
Soundtrack: Symphonic Suite Devil 4th movement and Symphonic Suite Devil 3rd movement (Blue Exorcist soundtrack for that scary Russia vibe
4,000. Guys, we made it past 4,000 reads. You guys are all over the world- it's awesome. I can't believe how much good response I'm getting. I know this is the longest I've gone without updating, but I got super super sick, so I really didn't want to write. Sorry :P Hope every one's new year was awesome. Mine was 3
Thanks so much for reading, reviewing, favoriting or just letting me know anything you need! Love love love you all so much. Next chapter will be up within a weekish
Oh and this whole chapter turned into scripted, so it is unfortunately unedited! Sorry!