Chapter 33

Gil looked towards the door, then back at Lithuania. He couldn't just leave him there. He dragged himself to the door by his arms, his legs refusing to move even enough for him to crawl. He glanced down at them. He'd done more damage to them, but he didn't care. He reached for the door handle, knowing it was locked. He pulled himself towards the door so he could lean against it, sitting up. He stopped for a moment, trying to catch his breath. His throat burned. He looked back at the door, he slammed his fist against it, ignoring the pain. Nothing. He touched his throat, unsure he could even make his voice loud enough. It was one thing he had always been good at and he couldn't even do that. He pounded on the door with numb hands, opening his mouth to beg for help.

No sound.

He coughed hard from the effort and looked back at Lithuania, who still hadn't moved, his eyes still closed. He could see him still breathing, barely. Gil turned back to the door. He turned to his side, pulling his legs under him, leaning against the door until he was kneeling. He closed his eyes, gritting his teeth. His legs throbbed with pain. He used both fists on the door.

"HEY!" he screamed through the sandpaper in his throat, "HELP!" He pounded harder on the door, pulling them away for a moment as agonizing pain shot around his left wrist. He saw blood instantly seep through the bandages. He'd torn through the stitches. He gripped his wrist with his right hand, grunting in pain, trying to ignore it. He was a soldier. He could do this. He could push through this. He had to do this. He looked up at the door again and slammed his fists against it even harder.

"ESTONIA! BELARUS! UKRAINE!" He screamed, tears of pain sliding down his cheeks. He tasted metal and ignored it. He screamed louder, "SOMEONE PLEASE! HELP!"

Nothing.

His arms were numb. They refused to put any more pressure on the door. He pulled them down to look at his hands. They were bleeding, broken. He didn't care. He tried again to slam his fists against the door, trying to make noise, trying to get someone's attention.

"PLEASE!" Gil looked back at Lithuania, worried. He let his fist hit the door again, weakly, "Please… please, someone, find us… please…" He pressed his hand against the door, letting his forehead rest on it. He gasped for breath, tears sliding down his cheeks. He coughed hard, blood rising into his mouth. He spit it on the ground, gasping for breath. His breathing slowed finally, but his throat still bled.

Silence. There was nothing but silence and the sound of Lithuania's strained breathing. Gil turned to look at the broken country. He couldn't help him. He couldn't do anything.

I hope you hate me for this Liet… he let another tear slide down his face. This is my fault. I might as well have done this to you myself. I'm so sorry… This is all my fault… why do you have to be so forgiving? Why do you have to be so stupidly kind all the d*** time? Why can't you hate me? Why won't you hate me!? I do… he bit back the tears. He didn't want them. He didn't want to cry anymore. He just wanted everything to go away. He didn't want to be able to think anymore. Let Russia take my mind from me. I can't do this anymore… I can't keep hurting people! I can't do this! He slammed his fist on the door one more time, looking up at it again, tears of anger streaming down his cheeks.

"SOMEONE HELP US PLEASE!" he leaned down, coughing until he was dizzy, spitting blood. He fell back, his legs unable to hold him up anymore. He dragged himself to the wall, leaning his back against it for a moment before falling to the ground, the last of his willpower and strength completely gone. He coughed, letting the blood drip from his mouth. He looked up towards Lithuania.

I'm so sorry… he hadn't tried hard enough. He closed his eyes, too exhausted to keep them open anymore. He could feel himself starting to slip into unconsciousness. He opened his eyes weakly again as he heard footsteps in the hallway. He couldn't move. He couldn't scream anymore. He looked up, begging.

God, please… I have nothing to offer you… but please… please let them help him… please…

He looked towards the door again, sighing deeply in relief as it opened. He tried to make out the shapes of the three figures who walked in.

Estonia, Belarus… Hungary he smiled weakly, looking up at them.

Belarus muffled a scream with her hand and ran to Toris, throwing herself to her knees beside him. Gil could faintly hear her begging for Toris to be ok from behind him. He looked up weakly, watching as Hungary knelt beside him. She touched his hair, her beautiful bright green eyes filled with worry.

"Gil…?" She whispered, her voice even more concerned than her face.

He tried to force a smile, knowing he failed miserably.

She put her hand to his face gently, rubbing his cheek.

He relaxed at her touch, closing his eyes, letting a few tears fall again. He saw her hand slip into his, and he wished he could feel it. He closed his fingers around his, unable to feel her doing the same. He looked up at her as she continued to rub his cheek. It was more comforting than he would admit. He could faintly hear Belarus and Estonia whispering behind him, trying to decide how to get Lithuania upstairs. He looked back to Hungary.

"Can you walk?" she whispered, brushing his hair away from his face.

He tried to say 'no' but he couldn't get his voice to work. He coughed hard, closing his eyes, turning away from her hand.

She wiped the blood off her hand on her apron, "Blood doesn't bother me, Gil. But you can't move, can you?" she bit her lip, shaking her head, returning her hand to his cheek.

He shook his head, relaxing into her touch again. He saw her look up at Estonia and Belarus. He couldn't hear them well enough to understand what they said. His hearing was growing more distant, like listening through water, his vision blurring. He tried to focus on Hungary's face, trying to listen to what she was saying.

"I'm going to…"

He didn't catch the last word but felt her lift his left arm over her shoulders, sliding her arms under his back and his knees. He barely felt her lift him off the ground. He leaned his head against her shoulder, trying to stay awake. He could barely see, his vision dark and blurred. He vaguely registered being carried out of the open door. He tried to look back. Estonia carried Liet, and Belarus held his hand, brushing her sleeve over her eyes. He could just barely hear her crying. He turned away, resting his head again, too exhausted to hold it up anymore. He winced as Hungary carried him up the stairs. He didn't like the idea of Hungary of all people having to carry him, but he was much too weak to argue. He closed his eyes. He couldn't fight it anymore. He didn't want to fight anymore. He was too tired.

…

Hungary sighed in relief as she felt Gil go completely limp in her arms. She could still hear his shaking breaths. She glanced back at Estonia, who nodded to Belarus as they reached the door at the top of the stairs.

Belarus let go of Lithuania's hand and opened the door for them, looking out into the hall and motioning for them to follow her.

Hungary looked down at Gil again as she carried him through the halls. She turned to look at his left hand draped over her shoulder, feeling something wet her shirt. She bit her lip. Blood had soaked through the bandage and dripped down his hand onto her white sleeve. She didn't care. She looked back at Estonia and Lithuania again. Estonia's clothes would be ruined, but she doubted he cared either. She tried to be gentle as they hurried up the stairs and turned to Lithuania's room.

"Take both of them in there," Estonia nodded, his voice worried.

Hungary nodded back, following Belarus into Lithuania's room. She closed her eyes, wincing.

Poland… The blonde country was sleeping on the bed.

Hungary turned to look at Estonia, shaking her head before he walked into the room.

"Belarus, be gentle with him…" She whispered. She'd been trying to help him. He was making progress. Seeing what Russia had done to Lithuania could take it all away. All the hard work he'd put into healing. She looked down at Gil in her arms. She couldn't set him next to Poland. She couldn't do anything.

"Natalya, I need you to hold Gil until I can get Poland out of here." She almost ordered the other girl.

"I'm not going to touch that thing after what he's done to Torshka." She shook her head, crossing her arms, "I'll wake up Poland."

"Belarus please," Hungary's voice grew more stern, "The last thing we need to deal with is Poland freaking out. Please… just… just take Gil until I can get Poland out of here. He can't see Toris. He can't. He won't be able to handle it," She shook her head.

Belarus sighed, angry. She knew Hungary was right. She walked up to her and held out her arms.

Hungary laid Gil in Belarus's arms, which were more than strong enough to hold his weight. He weighed less than she remembered. It worried her, but she didn't have time to think about it. She ran to the bed and knelt on the side where Poland slept, curled into a ball, his arms by his face and the blankets pulled up over his shoulder.

"Feliks?" She whispered gently. He didn't respond. She spoke a little louder, "Feliks? It's Liz. Can you wake up for me?"

"Mmmmph…" Poland groaned, not opening his eyes. He frowned, then fell back asleep.

Hungary put her hand on his gently, "Feliks?"

Poland jumped awake, sitting up, pulling his hand away from Hungary's with a gasp, covering his head with his hands.

"Feliks it's ok! It's ok, it's just me!" Hungary put her hands on his gently, trying to pull them away from his face. "It's ok. It's ok, just look at me…"

Poland lowered his arms slowly, keeping his eyes fixed on Hungary's face. "I'm ok…." He nodded.

"Good," She touched his face kindly, smiling at him. "Now… I need you to go back to your own room, ok?"

"W-why?" Poland shivered, looking at her, terrified, "W-where's Liet…?"

"Poland… please… just go back to your room, don't-"

Poland shook his head, pushing past her, standing and looking towards the door. He saw Belarus holding Gil. "Why is he here!?" Poland wrapped his arms around himself, trembling.

Hungary walked up behind him, putting her hand on his shoulder gently, "Poland…" She didn't know how to explain.

"Is he… dead…?" Poland whispered, pointing towards Gil.

"No, just unconscious, but-"

"Where. is. Liet," Poland whispered, biting his lip hard.

"Feliks…"

Poland shook his head, pulling away from Hungary's hand and ran through the door. He turned the corner and froze. His whole body trembled as he slowly brought both his hands to his mouth. He shook his head, closing his eyes, his hands muffling a painful sob.

Hungary ran to him, wrapping her arms around him.

He didn't move, looking over her shoulder, keeping his hands over his mouth and his eyes fixed on Lithuania's body.

"He's not dead, Feliks… he's going to be ok…" She bit her lip. Poland's body shook with sobs, but he didn't move his arms from his face. She pulled away from the hug, standing in front of him, looking into his eyes. He was just barely taller than her, and she couldn't block his view of Lithuania.

"Feliks, look at me, please," She whispered.

He shook his head, pulling his hands down from his face, wrapping them around himself, tears streaming.

"Feliks, please…" She touched his face gently, trying to turn it towards her without hurting him.

He flinched, pulling away.

"Please, please go back to your room. I promise we'll take care of him… please, you don't want to be here…"

He looked into her face and set his jaw, shaking his head, pressing his fingers into his arms. "No… no, I want to help… please… let me help…"

"Feliks…"

"Trust me I've seen worse… please…. please let me help. I can help, I promise."

Hungary looked back at Estonia, who said nothing. She turned back to Poland. "Ok… but, if you-"

"If it gets bad I'll leave, I promise… I really promise," He looked into her eyes, nodding, "I promise."

Hungary looked back at Estonia, who nodded. She sighed and motioned for Poland to follow her into the room again. Belarus had already set Gil down on the bed. She walked up to the rest of them.

"I'll get all the medical supplies…" She glanced back at Lithuania, biting her lip. She noticed Poland and looked at Hungary, confused.

"He wants to help."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" She asked, not caring if he heard her.

"I'm fine. I can help." Poland bit his lip, his hands still digging into his arms.

"Ok…" Belarus shook her head and walked past the group heading towards the medical closet.

Hungary ran into the bathroom and started the water running in the tub. If they laid Lithuania down in the bed there would be too much of a mess to actually address the wounds.

Estonia carried him into the bathroom, laying him in the white tub gently, brushing Lithuania's matted hair back from his face. He looked up at Hungary without a word.

Hungary sighed, she was worried too. She searched through the bathroom shelves, trying to find clean washcloths. She opened one of the cupboards and paused, shocked and worried. A razor blade caught the light. She glanced back at Estonia, who looked up at her.

"Ignore it," he shook his head, knowing what she'd seen.

Hungary bit her lip, and closed the cupboard again, opening a drawer. An entire set of 6 washcloths were rolled in it. She sighed in relief, grabbing all of them and bringing them towards the tub. She took one and Estonia took the other. They were gentle, trying not to rip at the wounds, trying to wash the blood away.

Hungary opened the drain, letting the water run, trying to clean the wounds at least slightly. She'd seen worse.

Estonia sighed, glancing up at her before gently lifting Lithuania, resting the man's head on his shoulder so they could reach his back.

Hungary gasped, staring for a moment before looking up Estonia.

The blond country shook his head.

"Let me guess… 'ignore it'?" She whispered.

Estonia nodded.

"Did… Russia…?"

Estonia nodded again with a deep sigh.

She closed her eyes for a moment, shaking her head. She couldn't imagine pain like that, and she'd experienced plenty. She was, after all, one of the older countries. She took a cloth and started to dab at the blood on Lithuania's back, revealing new wounds and old scars. When she finished cleaning his back she looked up at Estonia, still worried. The wounds on his back were deep, some of them deep enough to stitch.

Estonia nodded, standing, lifting Lithuania again, trying to keep his hand off his back.

Hungary went ahead of him, walking straight to Poland. She took the blond country's hand, looking at him sadly.

Poland watched Estonia carry Lithuania back into the room and lay him on the bed. He took a step forward towards him but stopped.

"You don't have to stay here, it's ok."

Poland shook his head, "I… I don't want to be alone…"

"Then you can sit over there," Hungary motioned to one of the three chairs in Lithuania's room, "Please, you don't have to help, it's ok, Toris would understand."

Belarus re-entered the room as she spoke, running up to Lithuania's side, taking his hand and setting the medical supplies by Estonia. She pressed Lithuania's hand to her cheek, kissing his fingers.

Poland turned to Hungary, confused, "They're a…"

Hungary nodded, "Yeah, it surprised me too."

"I thought she…"

"Apparently that's just an act to keep Russia away from her."

"But she broke his fingers…"

"That was before they got married…" Hungary shrugged.

Poland bit his lip, staring at Belarus as she turned to Estonia, trying to help him.

"Poland… you don't have to help," Hungary touched his shoulder kindly, nodding to the chairs in the room.

Poland sighed, nodding back and walking towards them. As soon as he sat down he put his hands over his ears, leaning forward, shaking.

Hungary ran to him, "Sh… sh, it's ok. You're right here. You're ok. No one's going to hurt you…"

Poland nodded, "I'm ok… go…" he squeaked in pain, pressing his hands into his head, "go help Liet!" He cried, shaking his head, trying to make the voices stop, trying to make the pain stop. He winced, curling his legs under the chair like he'd been kicked.

"Sh… sh…" Hungary pet his hair gently, trying to comfort him, "Sh, you're ok."

"Help… Liet…" Poland shook his head, still trembling uncontrollably.

Hungary looked back to the bed, fixing her eyes on Gil. He needed her. Estonia and Belarus could help Lithuania. She stood,

"If you're ok," She whispered.

Poland nodded weakly, still pressing his hands into his ears, shaking.

Hungary turned away, walking up to Gil. She touched his face gently and turned to his hands. She glanced up at Estonia, who noticed the bloody bandage around Gil's wrist. He rolled his eyes.

"Give me a minute," He shook his head, trying to deal with Lithuania's crushed legs, trying to force the bones back into place. They weren't going to heal quickly.

Hungary nodded, and started to unwrap the bandage from Gil's wrist.

A/N: And you guys were all expecting torture! Healing first. Neither of them can take anything more. Gil might be able to take a few hits, but Lithuania is waaaaaay too close to death as it is. He'd come back of course, but still. It takes longer to heal if they die from the injuries. Some Hungary point of view for you all. That's new! XD Poland's continuing to get better... but he's still far from doing well. And seeing Lithuania like that... *sighs* Hungary's right, it is going to set him back, but at least he's able to talk in full sentences now. He's trying so hard... GIL IN THE BEGINNING OF THIS CHAPTER! This may have been one of my favorite scenes to write so far. What he's done for Liet in this chapter and the last... He's still in there! He's still fighting, even when he can't! I didn't deal too much with how much they blame or don't blame Gil for what happened (except Belarus). He needs medical attention and so does Liet. Any blaming or not blaming come later.

One-sided PruHun is pretty much canon (Gil likes her even though she doesn't like him back, at least not romantically) so I'm going with that. There won't really be any PruHun in this, other than her being one of the few people he actually accepts comfort from, because they've known each other forever, and even if they have something of a love-hate relationship, they really do care about each other. But there won't be any romance between them in this fic, just friendship. (and maybe a few hints from Prussia that he won't act upon because frying pans)

History time: Hungary and Poland are "Cousins" and actually quite close. They've helped each other for most of their histories. in 2007 they even had an official "Polish-Hungarian Friendship Day" declared as March 23rd! So the idea that Hungary would also be helping Poland heal makes all the sense. With Hungary 'moming' him, and Liet being literally the best friend ever, he has a good team to help him! And he's actually in the same room as Gil! Granted he's not doing so well with that... but he's still in the room. He's trying so hard!

As always (I always say that too...) the reviews are wonderful for me! They really encourage me to keep updating so often! I LOVE reading your reviews. Even if they're short, and even if they're guests! (though I wish I could reply to ALL of you guys! Thank you so much!) I hope some of this chapter makes up for the brutality of the last one! Cookies and hugs to all! Also, thank you to Kattie for the Malteasers. They sound much better than woppers (which I dislike!)! Danke!