21)
A few evenings later, they were back at Russia's house. It was freezing cold and dark inside, and Russia immediately deposited his and Lithuania's suitcases beside the couch and went and turned up the radiators and turned on the fireplace. Lithuania came in close behind, with Vanya in his cat carrier and Kyra tugging on her leash.
It had been about about a week and a half since he had received his injuries, and they were healing at a steady rate, a bit better each day. He could definitely do more everyday things, but he still spent quite a bit of time resting and taking it easy, as he definitely was not fully healed.
-xXx-
Lithuania let Kyra off of her leash, and opened the cat carrier and let Vanya out. She explored her surroundings, although it was more like Vanya walked her around the house and showed her around. Then he sat down on the couch, while Russia took the luggage upstairs.
Toris had his nose in a book when the couch dipped beside him and Russia sat down, "Our animals are very good friends, da? Like us. They follow each other around, and play together."
Lithuania looked up from the page he was on; "Yes. It is kind of funny, don't you think?"
Russia nodded. Lithuania shivered.
"You are cold, here." Russia pulled the plaid blanket off the back of the couch and wrapped it around the brunette's small shoulders.
"Spasiba." He said, "But, what about you, don't you need blanket too?"
"No. I have high tolerance for cold, as much as I hate it."
"Toris, are you hungry?"
"Da. A little."
"I am bored. I will go make borscht. Since I know you like it."
"Do you have everything?"
"I think so. If not I will just go to the little store close to here and get what I need."
Russia went into the kitchen. Lithuania heard rummaging as he checked in the cupboards and fridge for all the ingredients.
A few moments later, Russia came back into the living room.
"I need to run to the grocery store to get the meat, a loaf of bread, and the beats and tomatoes, I have everything else. Are you going to go or stay?"
"Umm...I think I will stay. I will unpack, and start on the soup, since it takes two hours to make."
"Fine, but do not do anything else, da~you still are weaker because of bruised ribs."
"Okay."
"Good. I will see you soon." Russia patted Lithuania on the head, grabbed his coat and keys and went out the door.
Lithuania watched him go, hoping he was going to be okay, it was still winter after all. Although, Liet silently hoped the worst of it was over.
He turned on some music downstairs, and began to unpack their luggage. He put the laundry in the washing machine, and put away the rest of his clothes. He stopped for a break when he finished the little task, since his abdomen was starting to bother him again. He laid on his bed, supporting his back with a pillow, scanning the dull, empty room. It was eerily silent. It was too empty. He did not like it. He could empathize with Russia, understanding why he hated the silence. Why he hated being alone; because it was awful. The feeling of complete isolation. The loud silence. It felt...so cold. The isolated feeling also increased even more because of how big the house was. He could understand why someone like General Winter could so easily seep into Russia's mind. Why it drove him mad. He was so desperate for a companion he did not care who. The silence was ear-piercing. He was alone all the time, and loneliness caused his mind to run rampant; it caused his mind to think crazy things. That would be enough to drive anyone insane.
It made Lithuania sad.
With these thoughts in his head, he got up off the bed and went downstairs to start on the borscht. It was livelier down there with the music, lights, and the two animals. It made Lithuania feel better, but still, he anticipated Russia's return.
He was happy when he heard the front door open.
"I'm back, Toris." Russia announced from the entryway. He deposited his outerwear and made his way toward the kitchen where the soup was boiling, bags in hand. He set them on the counter.
"Okay, I've got it from here." Russia said to Lithuania who was seated, leaning against a chair; "You can go back to living room now."
He nodded and got up and departed to sit on the couch. He picked up his book, which was lying open, spine up on the couch and started to read. Vanya jumped up with him and sat in his lap, and Kyra got up too, and lay at his side. There was no way he could move, and there wasn't exactly much extra room for anyone else.
He finished the chapter of his novel, as the smell of the borscht started to waft in from the kitchen. He closed his book and turned on the television. He flipped to a random channel and found that Vitas was performing live, so he turned it up and watched.
The singer himself was singing "Winter". The song was very energetic and almost...happy. He liked it.
"Umm...Ivan?" He called.
"Da?" Russia poked his head out of the kitchen.
"Vitas is performing."
"Oh! I like Vitas." He wiped his hands on a dishtowel and then came out and stood watched for a bit.
"Which song is this? I like it."
"It is called 'Winter'."
"Oh. Hmm. It sounds happy. That is very weird. Winter is not a very happy season. Good job for him trying to brighten up the mood of it though. Can you turn it up so I can hear better?"
Lithuania nodded and turned up the volume a few notches while Russia went back into the kitchen.
"Winter" ended and "Star" began. Lithuania felt a lump form in his throat when it came on. The worst part was though, Russia started to sing along.
"Moyaa-aa-a-aaa, postoy...!"
The song ended and Lithuania was called for dinner. He turned down the TV, and then got up off the couch.
Russia had dipped two bowls of stew, accompanied by two glasses of water, and had set the table nicely. Lithuania pushed his chair in, and they ate the soup quietly at first, and then started to talk again. It had been awkward the past week because of the recent events, and the awkwardness was only gradually starting to cease.
"I am sorry about Poland..." Liet said, "He tends to be very irrational sometimes."
"Oh no, that is okay. He was only trying to protect you. I forgive him. You should not have to apologize for him."
"Oh...that's good..."
Russia smiled, "But I am glad it is just you and me again."
Lithuania smiled and took another bite of his soup.
"Do you like it?"
The brunette nodded, "It is very good. You know I love your borscht."
Russia giggled, "Good, I am glad. I wish we had dessert though."
"Isn't there ice cream in the freezer?"
"Oh yeah, I think there might be some vanilla in there. But it's Canada's. He left it there."
"Who's-oh...America's brother. H-he visits?"
"Da. Sometimes. He is always very nice. He tells good stories too. But it is a long way, so he does not visit as much as I would like him to. But yes, that is his ice cream."
"Oh..."
"Do you really want icecream that much Toris?" Russia giggled.
He blushed. "Umm...yes..."
"You could have just said so, silly. Alright. When we are done I will take our dishes to sink and dip us some. And then I will buy him more for when he visits again. The carton is halfway gone anyway."
"I do not know...I do not want it if it belongs to someone else. I would feel bad taking it."
"I am sure he would be very happy to share with us. But would you feel better if we called him to ask?"
Lithuania nodded.
"Okay." He put his spoon down and picked up his phone and dialed the number. He put it on speaker.
"Hello?" said the soft, whispery voice over the phone.
"Privyet Canada! It's Russia."
"Oh...hi Russia, good morning."
"It's actually night here."
"Oh...heh heh...I feel silly now...well...g-good evening then. How are you, eh? You were sick for the world meeting."
"I am good. How about you?"
"I am doing great. It's nice to get a call from someone."
"Hey, listen, I have a question. Lithuania is here with me and he wanted to know if we could eat the ice cream you left in my freezer."
"I left ice cream in your freezer? Oh…yeah. I remember now. That was a while ago. I brought it for us to share. It was for you. I have plenty of ice cream. Y-you don't have to ask about it, anything I bring and leave is yours...but thank you for asking anyway."
"Okay! Thank you. I will buy you another one."
"Oh. You don't have to, eh. Don't worry about it. It's all yours."
"Okay. Thank you."
There was a bit of silence.
"So umm...what are you up to?" Canada asked.
"Lithuania and I are eating borscht. What about you?"
"Oh, that sounds good. I'm sitting on my porch swing with a cup of hot cocoa. It's nice this morning."
"Sounds relaxing."
"Yeah."
They struck up some small talk for a while until Canada finally said, "Well, i'll let you get back to your dinner now...th-thank you for calling."
"Yes. Come visit me soon."
"Okay, I will. Goodbye Russia, goodbye Lithuania. Enjoy the rest of your evening."
"Enjoy the rest of your day." Russia replied, and hung up. He turned to Liet, "See, nothing to worry about. I will take our plates and go dip some ice cream."
"Okay." Lithuania replied.
Russia got up and gathered the dishes.
Meanwhile, Lithuania sat and looked at the empty vase in the middle of the table. The Christmas Roses had died a while ago, and he wanted to put some more flowers in the middle.
"I think I am going to surprise Ivan and go and pick some wild winter flowers for that vase. I think snow drops with some colorful crocuses and scilla would make a very pretty centerpiece. I will take Kyra for a walk tomorrow morning before Russia wakes up, and then go and pick some flowers. I will be back before he wakes up."
"How much ice cream do you want?" Russia asked.
"Two scoops, please."
"Okay."
- xXx-
The next morning, Toris was up by 6 AM. He showered and dressed and then went downstairs to make himself a cup of tea. He turned on the radio, listening to quiet music as he moved about the kitchen. He let Kyra out to use the restroom, and then fed her, then he sat down and drank his tea. While he was drinking, "Winter" came on on the radio.
He finished his tea and then put his cup in the sink, wrote Russia a note that said, "I will be back soon, I went to take Kyra for walk." Signed Toris.", and left it on the table where he knew he would find it. Then he put on his outerwear, and attached Kyra to her leash.
"Let's go for walk, Kyra." He said to her. Her tail wagged happily in agreement. He smiled, and then quietly went towards the front entryway.
"Winter" ended just as he stepped out the door.
A/N: Hello everyone! I am back with an early update. I do hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Please leave your reviews and stay tuned for the next chapter! Also, I included Canada because in our friend group, author Pansychic27213, who, as you all know, has been helping me with the last few chapters, is our group's Canada, as I am the group's England. I gave Canada a little cameo to thank my Canada for all of her help with this story and stories I have done in the past. Also, question of update, who is your favorite Hetalia character? Which character do you consider yourself the most like? Leave answers in your reviews! Stay tuned for the next update, which will hopefully be later on in the week.