England took a deep breath of the summer air as he meandered through Hyde Park. The sun dappled through the leaves of the trees, and the cries of children playing by the fountain echoed around him. A shadow fell over him, and he frowned.
"I knew you would come eventually," he muttered, looking up at Russia. "I thought it would be much sooner, given the subject of your visit."
Russia did not reply. He stared down at England with a small, tight smile and cold eyes, matching the smaller nation's pace.
"I won't apologize," England said quickly. "It would have been wrong to trap the poor girl as you were attempting! But, of course, I certainly never wanted her death, and I offer my deepest condolences."
Russia's eyes narrowed a bit, but still he did not speak.
"I assume you are here to extract some form of revenge," England said coolly. "I am not really in the mood for threats, so if you can say your piece..."
Russia stepped in front of him forcing him to stop. England took a step back. Russia rummaged through his trousers and held out a small, empty glass bottle. England stared at it a moment and looked quickly up at Russia, eyebrows raised.
"Where...?"
"It was found at the side of the road," Russia said casually, rolling the bottle in his fingers. "I felt it should be returned to its rightful owner."
England hesitated a moment then took the bottle, shaking his head.
"So, she's alive," he murmured. He jumped as Russia placed a heavy hand on his shoulder.
"I will need your help, of course," Russia said, his eyes sparkling a bit. "My magic is less...benign than yours. I cannot teach her as you would."
"Teach her?" England said, confused. "What do you mean..."
"As your actions led me to believe that the woman I love was dead, I feel you owe me a favor," Russia said pleasantly. "She must know how to protect herself. From us."
Russia squeezed England's shoulder a bit, then released him. England frowned at the bottle. He sighed and nodded.
"You are correct," he muttered. "Send her to me when she is ready."
"Excellent." Russia beamed. "I would appreciate if you kept her survival quiet for now."
"Of course."
Russia dipped his head and walked off a bit. He paused and turned back towards England.
"One last thing," he said, flashing a toothy grin. "If you ever mettle in my personal affairs again or bring harm to one I love, England, I will claw through your borders and burn to ash every acre I pass through until my hands are around your neck."
England grew still. His teeth clenched and his eyes flashed.
"You will try," he snarled, his accent dropping from Oxford to the East End.
Russia smiled, pleased, gave a short wave and was gone.