(1790)

Lithuania covered his cough. He could see a droplet of blood. He quickly wiped it off before Poland could notice. Lithuania handed Poland the fish soup from yesterday.

"Poland, I'm sorry. This is all we have…"

"Liet you idiot!" Poland coughed. "Call me Po before I die…."

"You're not going to die!"

While Sweden calmed down for the most part, the two found themselves faced with a new threat - Russia. Lithuania knew him as a creepy kid often bullied by his neighbors in the past. However, as of lately, he's been proving himself to be a force to be reckoned with after fighting Sweden and the Ottoman Empire.

Lately Russia has been butting his nose in the Polish-Lithuania Commonwealth's affairs so much that he might as well be Poland's boss at this point. Russia took Estonia and Latvia. Lithuania heard the treatment at his house wasn't ideal. Estonia eagerly wished to return to Sweden despite fearing the nation.

He couldn't forget coming home to find Poland in tears.

"Everyone is gone...I have no one but you Liet. Please don't leave me by myself!"

Poland desperately clung to Lithuania. This was from the nation who would make a joke out of everything. Lithuania couldn't blame him as he too wanted everything to go back to normal.

While Lithuania managed to stay with Poland, he didn't feel safe. Russia was a legit threat.

At least his sister is cute.

The two were struggling to get by each day. Things needed to change.

"We should start by making some reforms," Lithuania said. He held the sickly Poland. He seemed so thin. Lithuania feared he might break him if he applied too much pressure. "Everything will be fixed, okay? We need to seek out help."

"Help!? Who's going to help us when our death benefits them?"

Lithuania couldn't disagree. Europe couldn't care less about them as the Polish-Lithuania Commonwealth wasn't the superpower it used to be. If they want help they'll have to think outside the box.

Suddenly, an old face appeared in his head. A nonsensical idea.

"How about Prussia?"

Poland stared at Lithuania with crazed eyes. "Prussia!? Isn't it his and Russia's fault were like this!?"

"That's true, but we currently share a common enemy."

Russia.

With Russia out the way both countries didn't have to feel threatened by the emerging superpower.

Poland couldn't completely reject the idea.

"The downside is that we're working with Prussia…" Poland said. His face suddenly lit up evolving into a smile. "How about you meet up with him instead?"

"What?"

"You know more about the reform stuff than I do, and I don't have to bow my head to that bastard! It's a win-win!"

So you want me to bow!?

Lithuania should be eager for this chance to prove himself, but being alone with Prussia was another story.

It was early dusk when Lithuania arrived at Prussia's house. He was a bit nervous.

The last time they saw each other was Lithuania and Poland having no choice but to hand over their land. While they did work together centuries ago, Prussia might enjoy the chance to reject his former boss, Poland.

Lithuania hyped himself up before knocking on the door.

No response. Was he asleep?

Lithuania couldn't wait until morning so knocked much harder the second time.

"Geez! I'm coming! You know what time it is!?"

The door swung open revealing a disgruntled Prussia.

Lithuania couldn't help but stare in shock. Compared to him, Prussia was in fit condition. Lithuania, on the other hand, looked sickly.

Prussia eyed the scrawny Lithuania. "You look like utter garbage. Should you be making such a racket so early in the morning?"

"This is important! Just hear me out, the Polish Commonwealth is in dire straights."

"Good! This is payback for you guys being a pain in my side!"

"That was all deserved, don't rewrite history!"

"Why you...is that how you ask for help!? I'm going back to bed!"

"Wait, I'm sorry! It was a stupid joke!" Lithuania gripped the door before Prussia could shut it. He didn't care how pathetic he looked. "Please...you're the only person I can turn to."

Prussia sighed.

"...fine."

Prussia led Lithuania inside his house to a room with a large table.

"Wait here," Prussia left letting out a large yawn.

Lithuania was tired too, but he had to save Poland.

He patiently waited at the table. He couldn't help but look around at the spacious house. Unlike Poland's crumbling house, Prussia's exuded wealth with every wall displaying some sort of achievement. Lithuania got more nervous.

Could he really convince Prussia to help them?

Prussia returned with a sandwich.

"Eat this."

Lithuania's stomach rumbled. It's been a while since he had meat. He couldn't stop himself from immediately wolfing down the thing. After finishing it, he snapped out of his frenzy to catch Prussia staring at him wide-eyed.

Not the proper way to start a business meeting.

"Sorry," Lithuania awkwardly wiped his face. "Anyway about my proposition-"

"Did you want something else?"

"Huh?"

"I could make you another one."

Lithuania was briefly tempted by the offer, but then he remembered Poland. It wouldn't be fair to enjoy good food without him.

"Thanks, but I wish to talk about serious matters," Lithuania brought out a mess of papers he hurriedly packed. "I came to talk about the Polish-Lithuania Commonwealth."

"Where's Pol-whatever?" Prussia asked.

"Ah, it's just me as the representative. Is that alright?"

"That's less of a problem for me to deal with, so I'll allow it."

Lithuania wanted to say something about Prussia's smug attitude, but he kept it to himself.

"You already know that Russia is a growing threat, so I was hoping if it's possible that the Kingdom of Prussia would like to form an alliance with us."

Lithuania tried his best to explain the reforms and benefits of the alliance. At the end of his speech, Prussia stared at Lithuania, not saying anything. He seemed unimpressed.

Lithuania panicked. "Is there something wrong?"

"Well," Prussia began. "You're right that Russia is a problem, and that aristocrat bastard is no better…but is there anything you can offer to sweeten the deal? I'm putting more work in this alliance."

"Territory?"

"That's a given."

More? There was nothing else they could offer without going further into poverty. Nothing left aside from his pride...

Lithuania swallowed.

"I'll do anything you want. During the alliance you can use me anyway you want. The Polish-Lithuania Commonwealth will be beneficial in no time!" Lithuania stared into Prussia's eyes. "Can't you do this as a favor for me?"

Prussia relaxed a bit. He walked over to Lithuania and placed a hand on his shoulder. At that moment, Lithuania saw Prussia as a respectable nation. Could being an independent kingdom have changed him into a decent individual?

Prussia smirked, "Anything I want?"

Never mind.

Lithuania nodded. He tried his best to ignore the growing pain in his stomach.

That's how Lithuania's days as Prussia's servant began. He cooked, cleaned, and generally embarrassed himself to make Prussia happy.

"Lit-whatever, prepared lunch for me!"

"Yes, Prussia…"

"Prussia what?"

"Yes...lord Prussia…"

Lithuania wanted to die.

He listened to Prussia's demands trying not to lose his mind.

"So you're now Prussia's lackey?" Poland asked.

"Until something changes... yeah."

"That sucks!" Poland bemoaned. "You're supposed to be my exclusive lackey!"

"I rather not be anyone's lackey…"

At Prussia's house, Lithuania remembered once eyeing a nearby frame on a counter. Pictured was The Great Fredrick, an admirable foe of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth even in his dying days. Also on the counter, Lithuania saw an array of gold and silver accessories ranging from trinkets, pendants, and badges.

Prussia looked up from the stack of papers and caught Lithuania staring at his trophies.

"Impressed are you?" He smugly asked.

"Yes," Lithuania admitted. "Who did you loot these off of?"

"I'm not France! I earned them!"

Lithuania didn't doubt it. From the corner of his eye, he saw another picture this time with Prussia. He wasn't alone. Also pictured was a boy the same age as Lithuania. Both Prussia and him were smiling posing like idiots with their rifles.

"Who's this with you in the picture?"

"That's America, the former colony kid."

So that's America.

Lithuania heard many stories about him from Tadeusz Kościuszko. The reforms were partially inspired by the American Revolution. Lithuania couldn't imagine being so fortunate and winning his independence. Though the fact England has many enemies may have been a major factor.

"I can't believe your doing all this work for Pol-whatever."

Lithuania shrugged. "No one else is going to do it."

As the days went on, Lithuania noticed many powerful nations coming in and out of Prussia's house. France, England, Spain, and even Austria. While Lithuania mostly stayed out their way, occasionally he noticed them glance at him. They all looked at Lithuania with pity.

Compared their growing riches, Lithuania's poverty was a blight on Europe. He can imagine Prussia bragging about his new toy.

He could do nothing about it but endure for the sake of Poland.

He wasn't as powerful as America.

"Out of curiosity...what ever happened to that locket I gave you?"

Prussia didn't bother looking over as he assorted through the paperwork. "That cheap thing? I probably tossed it somewhere ages ago."

"I see…"

Lithuania put on his best face to hide how much that statement hurt.

After all, Prussia wasn't a measly Duchy anymore. He was a kingdom. It's for the best Lithuania didn't bring up the past. He didn't care if Prussia used him as a servant, as long as he agreed to help the Commonwealth.

So Lithuania talked extensively about the reforms in hopes of saving Poland from disappearing.

Prussia's snoring interrupted one of their meetings. Lithuania grumbled a bit. He seemed to be the only work putting any serious work into this alliance.

This wasis his savior apparently.

Do you enjoy making a fool of me?

But Lithuania said nothing.

He grabbed a nearby blanket, covered it around Prussia, and left on his way back to Poland's house.

Once he got home, Lithuania slammed on the nearest couch not wanting to move. Poland began poking him to see if he was dead.

Unfortunately, he wasn't.

"Do you want to switch?" Poland asked. "I'll suck it up and go over Prussia's house tomorrow if you want?"

"No, I'm fine! You focus on internal affairs and take it easy!"

Lithuania was as sick as Poland, but they really couldn't afford one side of the commonwealth slacking during this period.

There's a knock at the door alerting the two nations. Poland tensed up as he already knew who it was. Due to his petrified state, Lithuania left the couch to face their fate.

He opened the door to a recently familiar sight.

Russia stood there with a smile with Estonia, and Latvia faithfully beside him. Russia was all smiles while Estonia and Latvia were terrified. Lithuania tried his best to endure the growing pit in his stomach.

Since the partition of 1772, Russia's bosses and the Polish-Lithuania Commonwealth have been getting more involved. Most meeting consisted of demands to the Commonwealth as Russia doesn't compromise.

Despite the tense atmosphere, the Baltics were able to create an attempt at normalcy.

As Poland and Russia were in the latest horror show, Lithuania served tea to his friends Estonia and Latvia.

"Basically I'm learning Russian...but compared to Russia, my cities are more popular with tourist!" Estonia said. "Speaking of night terrors, isn't Prussia still giving you guys trouble?"

"We don't have to worry about him," Lithuania quickly answered. He noticed the two nations giving him odd looks. "We're in a temporary alliance."

Estonia stopped at his words. "Your working with Prussia now?"

"It's a long story." Lithuania said. He rather not talk about Prussia when he's at home. "I bet Russia is more tolerable than that idiot."

"No way!" Estonia and Latvia answered in unison.

Lithuania, baffled, asked, "Weren't you guys scared of Prussia not too long ago?"

"That's true, but Russia is on another level..." Estonia drifted off.

"I wish every night for the days Prussia would chase me with mud over Russia!" Latvia said.

Lithuania worried what Russia was doing to their sanity.

"What's working for Prussia like?" Estonia asked.

Lithuania didn't know how to answer that.

To Lithuania, Prussia was as bad as Russia. They only reason Prussia accepted their alliance was to make a fool of him. Just like in the past, Lithuania is yet again getting dragged around by him.

Even though they been together almost everyday now, it's not like he understood him any better. The only thing he knew was things from the past. Them as stupid teenagers sneaking around Poland for practice sessions.

He rather not think of that.

If he could describe those memories in one word:

Painful.

"Everyone is having fun, huh?"

The entire room turned cold. The Baltic countries turned to see Russia peeking by the door frame. The cozy atmosphere immediately crumbled.

"Our bosses are done talking. Let's go home everyone!"

Estonia and Latvia hastily got up. Russia put his arm around both of them dragging them out as they helplessly looked towards Lithuania. Lithuania sadly waved off his friends. He hated he could do nothing but watch.

Russia gave one glance back to the lone nation.

"See you later, Lithuania."

Russia smiled on his way out. Lithuania felt his spine shiver at those words.

Poland soon entered the room after in a bad mood. A typical scene after a meeting with Russia.

"They basically steamrolled, like, every idea I had!" Poland pouted. "One higher up is saying one thing, my boss is saying another. The sooner we finish the reforms, the better everything will turn out right? We won't be deal with that creepy bastard on a daily basis!"

Lithuania eagerly nodded.

There was nothing else for them to believe. A small hope for Prussian decency.