Chapter 46

"Bela," Ukraine whispered as she opened the door of the cell. She stopped, sighing deeply as she looked down at her sister.

Long chains held Belarus's small pale wrists to the wall. Her grey dress was dirty and ripped at the hem, her tights covered in holes and runs. Her hair was a mess, the black ribbon she always wore loose, half falling out of the straight blonde locks. Her wrists bled as the chains dug into them.

Ukraine looked into her sister's face as the haunting dark blue eyes met hers. Her sister's lips bled, and her cheek was bruised. She looked down, angry.

"You… you brought me food?" Belarus asked, still staring at her. Her voice was dry.

Ukraine nodded, "Of course!" she brought the tray closer, sitting in front of Belarus, laying it across her lap.

Belarus looked down at the food and water, licking her dry with an equally dry tongue.

Ukraine set the tray on Belarus's lap.

Belarus arms were heavy from the chains, but they were long enough to leave her room to move if she was careful. She didn't have to be fed. She was glad of that, not willing to give up what little pride she had left.

"Bela…" Ukraine whispered as she watched her sister eat like it had been months instead of days, "What happened to your face…?"

"He kicked me down here," she snarled, not looking up from her food, her mouth so full Ukraine barely understood her words.

"Why are you even here? What did you do? Why is he-"

"He found out about… about Toris and I…" Belarus sighed.

"I didn't tell him! I promise!" Ukraine shook her head, looking into her sister's face, worried.

"I know, I know," Belarus smiled at her faintly, reassuringly. "I know you didn't, he found out. It wasn't your fault…"

"Bela… he… Toris he…"

"I know. I heard him," Belarus sighed. She hated it. All of it. "Russia didn't hurt him badly. He'll be ok."

"How do you know."

"The…" Belarus looked away, "He sounds different when he's really in pain. Or at least… when the pain actually bothers him…"

"What kind of conversation are we even having right now?" Ukraine shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes again.

"A normal one," Belarus looked up at her, "A normal one for us. Because this is what we live with. Because our brother is a psychopathic freak who likes hurting-"

"He doesn't like it," Ukraine shook her head again, "He doesn't!"

"Did he tell you that?" Belarus continued eating, scarfing down the cold soup.

Ukraine nodded, bit her lip.

"And you actually believed him?"

Ukraine said nothing for a moment, "I don't know… I… he's not General Winter…"

Belarus shivered, "Nyet. At least he's not father…"

Ukraine nodded again, "Nyet…" she watched her sister silently for a moment. She didn't have anything to say. There wasn't anything to say. Neither of them spoke for a while, neither of them looking at each other.

"Bela…" Ukraine broke the silence, wrapping her arms around herself, "We're going to be ok, right? We're the only two he hasn't… he's never hit you, has he?" She was afraid to ask.

Belarus nodded, "He has. But I hit back…"

Ukraine didn't reply. "Do you… do you think we're going to be ok?"

Belarus looked up at her sister, her eyes bloodshot and tired, worn and haunting, "Some of us are never going to be ok, Katya… but if you're asking if we'll survive, yes. Yes, I think we'll survive… eventually…."

Ukraine nodded, sighing deeply, "Do you need anything else? I wish I could let you go…"

"Ivan said he wanted to 'talk to' me…"

"He promised me he wouldn't hurt you. I made him promise…" Ukraine put her hand on Belarus's knee kindly.

Belarus smiled at her gratefully, "Thank you. I just hope he keeps it."

"Me too… just… try not to provoke him? Please, please don't make him angry. He's ok right now, and if he's ok everyone is safe."

Belarus understood. She nodded to her sister, "Ok. Ok, I won't provoke him," she smiled, "If I can help it," she added, smirking to see the shock on her sister's face, "I'm kidding."

"Well, it's not funny!"

"No, it was funny, you're just not very good at jokes, you never were…" Belarus shook her head with a slight laugh.

"Oh, I can appreciate humor, but not the kind that jokes about our brother being… what did you call him?"

"A psychopathic freak?" Belarus smirked, usually she was the one earning that title. She took pride in it. It meant she could scare people away, and as long as they stayed away, they couldn't hurt her. She finished the food and water, and lifted the tray, reaching it as far as she could towards her sister.

Ukraine took the tray back, biting her lip, "Do you need anything else?" she glanced at her bleeding wrists.

"Nyet. I'm fine. I'll be fine. I promise."

Ukraine stood, carrying the tray with her, "If you're sure…"

"I'm sure," Belarus smiled sadly.

Ukraine nodded again, turning towards the door. She glanced back at Belarus as she walked out, locking the door behind her.

…

"G-G-Gil…" Latvia froze, his eyes wide with horror.

Gil sat on the edge of his bed, both feet on the ground. He was looking forward, his eyes focused on nothing. Blood dripped from the giant slice down his chest.

Latvia brought his hands to his mouth, shaking, his eyes drifting from Gil's chest to his arms, also covered in blood. Gil held a heart in his left hand. His own heart. Latvia rushed forward, putting his hands on Gil's face.

"G-Gil? Please? Please look at me!" Latvia's voice trembled.

Gil didn't respond.

"No. No, you c-can't can't can't do this!" Latvia picked up Gil's heart, tears streaming down his face as he saw the white-haired country wince in pain. He looked at the wound in Gil's chest, then up to his face. "I'm sorry if this hurts… I'm really, really s-s-sorry…" Latvia pressed Gil's heart back into his chest, sobbing as the taller country gasped, closing his eyes tightly, moving for the first time, bringing his hands to his chest, crying out in pain.

Latvia pulled his hand away, shaking, taking a step back. He tripped, falling to the ground. He looked up at Gil, pulling his knees to his chest and burying his face in his arms.

"L-Latvia…?" Gil blinked hard, still clutching his chest. He looked down. So. Much. Blood. He turned to Latvia again, seeing him curled up on the floor sobbing. "Latvia!" Gil almost jumped off the bed, kneeling beside Latvia, putting his hand on the boy's shoulder, pulling it back suddenly, afraid of getting more blood on Latvia's jacket.

Latvia looked up at Gil, shaking, "Gil… what happened? What did… you didn't…"

Gil looked down at the wounds and his hands, "I… I don't remember anything. I… I don't think I… no. No, I'm sure I didn't. I wouldn't…"

Latvia bit his lip, "General Winter?"

Gil nodded slowly, trying to remember.

"Da. It was me," The deep, icy voice sliced in through the open doorway. The giant man walked in, his long black coat hitting his legs as he walked, his boots stomping into the room.

Latvia returned his face to his arms, shaking more.

Gil turned around slowly, to look at the General. He stood, facing him, "Did you…" He gasped, opening his mouth to scream as General Winter grabbed his heart with one hand, and his throat with the other, lifting him off the ground.

"You're so weak, GDR," General Winter rolled his eyes, almost laughing, smiling as he saw the terror in Prussia's red eyes, "I thought maybe that would make you stronger," he nodded towards the bed where he'd cut out Gil's heart, "Just like my Russia. I had to do that to him so many times." General Winter shook his head again, smiling, "He used to cry so much… you didn't cry. I was a little impressed by that, GDR. You're not as weak as he was…" His grip around Gil's neck tightened, and his nails dug into Gil's heart until he drew a choked cry of pain from him. "Or maybe you are…"

"St-Stop it!" Latvia screamed, standing suddenly and running up to General Winter. He pounded his fists against the man's back, squeaking in pain as the giant kicked him back like he was a dog at his heels. He tried again, getting up instantly. He was angry, "STOP!" He screamed, grabbing General Winter's coat.

General Winter kicked him back again, turning to look at him, "I'll deal with you later," he snarled, taking a step back to rest his boot on Latvia's chest.

Latvia pressed his hands into the leather, struggling to breathe. He looked up at General Winter, terrified. He saw fear flash in Gil's eyes and pity.

Gil turned back to look into General Winter's slate grey eyes. The bloodlust they held horrified him. He struggled, screaming again as General Winter closed his hand tighter around his heart. He closed his eyes, struggling to breathe from both pain, and the iron grasp on his throat. He felt lightheaded. He struggled, glaring back at the giant, trying to hold onto consciousness, trying to fight back, kicking for General Winter, too weak to injure him. He tried to ignore the laughter. It made him angry. He closed his eyes, reality slipping away.

"General Winter. Stop." A commanding voice came from the doorway. It was Russia.

General Winter loosened his grip on Gil's neck, but not his heart.

Gil gasped for breath, opening his eyes, turning towards the door. Russia was defending him?

"I said: Stop," Russia stepped into the room, pipe in hand. He glared at General Winter, his eyes flashing with hatred. "Let go of my property."

General Winter laughed, dropping Gil to the ground and turning to Russia, "Finally strong enough to stand up to me? I can't believe it's taken you this long… but you always were weak." He swung the back of his hand at Russia's face.

Russia grabbed General Winter's wrist, looking up into the giant's face, "Nyet. Not weak. Just not a monster like you!"

General Winter laughed, stepping forward, releasing Latvia with a hard stomp, cracking the little country's ribs.

Latvia cried out, rolling to his side, gasping in pain.

Russia glanced at the blonde country quickly, then back up at General Winter, the look costing him the warning of the incoming blow to his face. He staggered back, raising his pipe. He swung hard at General Winter, struggling as the man caught the pipe, laughing still. He kicked him back, wrenching his pipe free from his grasp. "Get. Out."

"Winter isn't over yet…"

"Yes, it is. Spring is on its way. You have to leave!"

General Winter charged at Russia again, falling to the ground as Russia dodged the blow, slamming the pipe into his back.

Russia stepped down onto General Winter's back, "I said, 'get out'."

General Winter turned, pushing Russia off of him, throwing the country down onto the ground, kneeling beside him, pressing his chest into the floor with his hand as Russia struggled, "Congratulations. You survive this winter. Next year, maybe I'll finally kill you."

Russia looked up at him, his eyes filled with hatred.

General Winter smiled, "I like it when you hate me. It makes me feel important," he smirked, pressing hard on Russia's chest, breaking his ribs. He smiled again, grabbing for the scarf around Russia's neck.

Russia grabbed his arm, kicking him away, pushing him back, standing, facing him, "Get. Out!"

"You're not the one who gives the orders."

"Oh yes, I am," Russia snapped, "And I have help. Bela! Katya!"

Belarus and Ukraine stepped into the room. Ukraine held a gun, raising it to General Winter's face. Belarus flipped her favorite knife in one hand, holding a thrower in her other. She grinned, glancing up at her brother.

Russia smiled, nodding to her.

Belarus flicked her wrist, sending the throwing knife into General Winter's chest.

General Winter pulled the knife out without even a flinch. He glared at Belarus, throwing the knife back at her.

She dodged it, glaring at him still.

"This is my house. Get out!" Russia snarled, raising his pipe again, "Winter. Is. Over."

General Winter gasped suddenly, doubling over in pain. He looked up at Russia, standing straight, "Until next year, little snowflake."

Russia set his jaw, using his pipe to motion towards the door.

General Winter left, fading away almost before he got out of the door.

Russia collapsed, exhausted. Ukraine rushed to his side, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

…

Belarus touched Lithuania's face with a smile.

He smiled back, brushing her hair behind her ear.

"I can't believe that worked…" Belarus smiled, "I didn't think he'd actually let me stay with you if I helped him get rid of father…"

"It's only one night…"

"I'm not complaining! He's going to leave us alone!"

Lithuania smiled, nodding, petting her cheek with the back of his fingers, "I'm not complaining either…"

"Tomorrow everything goes back to normal… tomorrow he can… tomorrow he can hurt you again if he wants to…"

Lithuania sighed, shaking his head, "But not tonight… Maybe we can keep doing this? Trading him for time together? Trading him to leave people alone? To leave the others alone?"

"And you. And to leave you alone."

Lithuania shrugged.

"Torshka!" Belarus sighed, frustrated.

Lithuania sighed, nodding, "All right. All right, me too."

"It's getting better. It's going to get better…"

Lithuania nodded, "I hope so."

Belarus let her fingers his wrists gently, "Me too."

…

Gil woke to the feeling of someone petting his hair. He opened his eyes slowly, the dim glow from the single lamp on his nightstand the only light in the room. He looked up to see Russia sitting beside the bed.

Russia sighed in relief, "Good, you're awake," he smiled.

Gil frowned, trying to take in his surroundings. He wasn't covered in blood anymore, and he could feel the tape on the bandage pulling as it held the gauze to his chest. He winced. It still hurt, "Is Latvia ok?"

Russia nodded,"Da. He will be fine."

"Thank you… for saving me…" Gil looked away. It stung his pride. He didn't know he had any left to sting, but it stung.

Russia smiled, "Of course. I couldn't let him kill you. He wanted to kill you."

Gil looked away, "Is that… is that even possible?"

"I don't know…" Russia looked down, shaking his head, "But I'm not taking any chances. I take care of what is mine."

Gil nodded, "I know…" he had questions. A lot of questions. He didn't ask them.

"Now that I know you're all right…" Russia stood up, taking his coat from its place draped around the chair. He smiled at Gil again, "Heal quickly. I would still like you to go to that celebration in Berlin."

Gil sighed, nodding. He didn't want to go. It was too painful. But he would have to go. He didn't have a choice. He was still owned, possessed. He hated it.

…

Russia let his coat and pipe fall to the floor as he entered his room. He locked the door behind him and walked straight to the bed, not bothering to take off his boots, barely managing to find the strength to take off his scarf, exposing the bandages underneath. He nearly collapsed into it, closing his eyes and falling asleep immediately. He was exhausted, but Winter was over… for one more year Winter was over.

A/N: A different side of Russia again, still violent, but towards the right person this time! Pieces are starting to be put back together... but are they? We shall see. Russia hasn't snapped in a while now... he's been rather kind lately. We'll see how long that lasts.

This may be the last chapter that includes any LietBela. As much as I love it, my intention is to keep this non-pairing for the most part. It's now basically served its narrative purpose. I hope those of you who don't ship it weren't too annoyed... :/

Filming wrapped on Friday. It was an awesome day, and I'm going to miss everyone so much. SO. MUCH. So for a while (until another job comes up) I'm going to try and upload daily again! Because I love you all (and this story!)

Also, my mom is now reading lol. Hi, mom. ;) (if she makes it this far... and doesn't stop reading because it's too emotional/sad/intense... we shall see lol)

As always, reviews are deeply, deeply appreciated! Also... 200 REVIEWS OHMYGOSH! THANK YOU SO MUCH! Kattie, you were the 200th comment, so EXTRA cookies/biscuits and tea and all the good things for you. Whatever your favorite things are, you've got it! I'm honored by your review as well, especially to hear that my story is one of the few fanfics you still read. I approve of reading the classics though. The best indeed! (I'm partial to French literature myself...) :D :D :D Thank you all for all the amazing reviews! I know I always say it means SO much, but it really does! *hugs to all*