HYNEK

(A/N: Hynek's bitter remark about chess is a reference to chapter 25 in 'Things I Did for Her'. As a birthday treat, Prussia and Czechia decide to pay Lithuania a lady of pleasure. Reluctant at first, he decides to see the girl after all and enjoy himself in his own way. Shortly after, the brothel turns into a chess club.)

"Hello, brother."

I couldn't reply. I was far too busy dying inside. A couple of times in a row.

And she just put her shoes on and stood up to leave.

"See you 'round, guys."

Click-clack click-clack click-clack of her heels, then silence. Long, burning, suffocating silence.

"I gather you didn't play chess?!" I managed at last. He wouldn't meet my eye. I bet he'd rather have gone back to Moscow than been there living the moment. Truth be told, so would I.

"You've got no idea how much I hate you right now."

"I know!" He instantly looked up. "Trust me, I know."

No, you don't, you prick.

"I must have sawdust instead of a brain because, believe it or not, I actually thought we were friends." A half laugh flew out of my chest, one that didn't have anything to do with positive feelings.

"But I am y-"

His teeth chattered as I threw him against the wall, then plucked him against it, hands around his throat. He didn't fight back. He just looked back at me, ready to receive anything I had in store for him. And I wanted to harm him, as much as I had never harmed anyone. But I couldn't. Not like that. So, however grudgingly, I let go.

"Now listen to me and listen good. I -"

His phone bleeped and he instantly reached into his pocket to retrieve it. We all had the reflex to check our professional phones every five minutes whatever the circumstances, but right then, it just pissed me off beyond words.

"Don't you dare!" I tore it out of his hands, but couldn't help glancing at the screen. A text from Eva's number.

'Miss u already :* Dinner tonight?'

"Alright." I took a deep breath and handed the Nokia back, suppressing the urge to choke him with it. "Now, you are going to call her. Tell her you had a fun time, but you're just not ready for a relationship. That you hope that you are cool."

"I'm afraid I can't tell her anything like that," he replied, cold and composed.

"I don't care what you're going to tell her. The point is, you're not getting anywhere near her ever again. She's got a big heart; maybe she'll forgive you one day. As for me, don't count on it."

I crossed my arms and waited, but nothing happened. Just when I was about to change it (manually, if necessary), he finally deigned to speak.

"You really think I'll just call her and -?"

"You can send her a pigeon for all I care!" I shouted, my patience dissipating. "But you'll explain to her, promptly and very clearly, that you do not love her. Get it?!"

"I can't do that." He crossed his arms.

"And why the hell not?!"

"Well, for instance, I'm rubbish at telling lies."

TORIS

A rich mix of negative emotions tightened his features.

"Many say they love her and a moment later, they throw her away like an old rag doll."

"I'll never -"

"You know what? I don't care. I've dealt with the blond and he was much stronger than me. You will be a piece of cake."

I was just about to ask whether that was supposed to be a threat, when, suddenly… I don't know how to describe it. It was as if I looked at him. Really looked at him. With something else than my eyes.

He was blessed with a prepossessing face; one could understand how come women always fell to his feet. Mother Nature herself must have had a weak spot for him if she spoilt him so much. Had I been at his place, I would have already ruled the world. But what good is a pretty face if it never smiles?!

Those eyes. A mirror to one's soul, they say. This mirror showed me centuries of leaving the best piece of meat for her. Of counting the last coins to check whether it's enough to get liquor, then buying her sweets instead. Centuries of keeping an eye on her, taking blows for her, losing sleep over her. Losing plenty of things over her. A part of his mind included. Not that I could judge.

"What did you mean when you said you'd dealt with the blond?" I inquired in a soft voice, although I already knew. So many things suddenly started to make sense.

"None of your fucking business! And how dare you, anyway?!" He started to pace the space in front of my room back and forth. Inviting him in seemed like a bad idea for several reasons. So I just closed the door and faced my destiny. "How dare you assume you are good enough for her?! You've got nothing. No money, no resources, no power. What can you possibly have to offer?!"

I'd already felt like smacking him before, but never this much. A wave of self-confidence washed over me.

"I'll always stand by her side." I spoke, back straight, chin jutting out. "Love her for whom she is. Strive to satisfy her in every possible way."

Too late did I realize the last sentence was too ambiguous to be said aloud. His fist in my face confirmed my suspicions. Still, believe me or not, it didn't hurt. Quite the contrary - it gave me one hell of a boost.

"Go ahead!" I shouted with the come-on gesture. "Hit me again. Beat me unconscious! I don't mind if it'll make you feel better. You can have anything you like. Life-long supply of beer? Just pick the brands. You want me to set fire to the UN headquarters? Why not, it's always so fucking cold in there. Kiss my boss in public? Dance in front of the whole Europe in my underwear? Anything you want. Anything! I'll go with it! She's worth it! AND IT CAN'T BE WORSE THAN TWENTY YEARS IN FRIENDZONE!"

But he said nothing, just shook his head and walked away.