Chapter 66

Gil looked at Russia's door, biting his lip, looking back down the hall, then back at the door. He knocked.

"Da, come in," Russia's voice sounded tired.

Gil sighed deeply, and walked into the room, closing the door behind him.

"I didn't expect you, GDR. Is something wrong?"

"I…" Gil closed his eyes for a moment, "I want to stop my brother from being allowed to be taken as a hostage. I… I'll do anything. Let me go to Berlin. Let me work with RAF to get what they want without hurting him, please…"

Russia shook his head, standing, "The last time I sent you to Berlin, what happened?"

Gil said nothing, looking away.

Russia sighed, walking up to Gil, standing to the man's side.

Gil didn't look at Russia, closing his eyes, breathing faster, trying to hide his shaking hands.

"And why do you think I should let you go to Berlin?"

Gil set his jaw, still saying nothing.

"Answer me. Why do you think I should let you go?" Russia snapped.

Gil shivered, "Let me prove myself."

"And how exactly do you think you're going to do that?" Russia almost laughed, shaking his head, taking a step closer to Gil.

"I'll do whatever you want me to do. Anything. What would prove my loyalty to you? Do you want me to cut out my own heart? I'll do it," Gil set his jaw, still not looking at Russia.

Russia looked at him for a moment, trying to think, trying to decide what proof GDR could give him. He smiled. He wasn't going to make it easy.

Gil closed his eyes as Russia held the pipe in front of him.

"Well? Take it," Russia smiled.

Gil forced himself not to sigh, opening his eyes. He took the pipe, finally turning to look at Russia. "And…" he didn't know how to ask.

Russia smiled, "I have a job for you. Estonia has some illegal music in his room, I do believe, but you knew that, didn't you?"

Gil closed his eyes again, nodding, looking back at Russia. "Russland…"

"You said you wanted to prove yourself… you and Estonia both need a lesson I think? And I know you're a good teacher. There isn't a problem, is there? After all, you did say you wanted to prove your loyalty to me, da?"

GDR looked down at the pipe, closing his eyes again. He took a deep breath, looked up and straight ahead, and nodded once. "Ja. And I will."

"Don't be too hard on him," Russia smiled, "I'll come check your work in an hour. I won't be disappointed, da?"

GDR nodded again, setting his jaw, "Do you want me to use only this," he looked down at the pipe again, then turned back to look at Russia, "Or can I use my own methods?"

"I need to see blood," Russia shook his head, "That's the only way the lesson works. There has to be blood."

"There will be," GDR nodded, keeping his eyes fixed on Russia's.

Russia smiled, the same sickeningly childish smile he almost always wore, "Khorosho! Do whatever you want, Ptitska, as I said, I'll see you again in two hours. Go." Russia motioned towards the door.

GDR said nothing, walking out of the office and toward's Estonia's room. He looked at the door for a moment before slamming his fist against it. He looked into Estonia's face as the man opened the door, not sure if he was trying to look angry or sorry.

Estonia looked into GDR's face, an icy chill going down his spine. His eyes traveled down to GDR's hand, and the pipe his fingers were closed around. His eyes shot back up to meet the deep red ones staring back at him. He shook his head, looking down with a sigh.

GDR nodded, "If I want to help my brother, this is what I have to do."

Estonia sighed deeply, nodding. He understood. He opened the door all the way, walked back into his room and took off his jacket. Carefully, he laid it on the bed, and turned back towards the door, walking up to GDR.

"How long?" Estonia asked flatly.

"Two hours," GDR replied, his tone equally emotionless.

"Does he want blood?"

"Ja," GDR nodded once.

"Do I have to cry?" Estonia still looked into GDR's face.

"I don't think so," GDR shook his head, keeping his eyes on Estonia's.

Estonia sighed, looking down. He looked back up at GDR, nodding, "Let's go then. Do what you have to."

GDR nodded back, motioning for Estonia to start towards the stairs. He glanced back towards Russia's door, hate flashing in his eyes. He didn't want to do this. He had to do this. He had to help his brother, no matter what it cost him or anyone else.

…

Hungary opened Poland's door with her back, carrying in a tray of food. She set it down on the nightstand and turned to the bed. Poland was sleeping. She looked at him for a moment, debating whether or not she should wake him. He looked peaceful, and that was a gift she didn't want to take from him. But he would be more irritated with cold food later than being woken. She laid her hand on his shoulder and gave him a gentle shake.

Poland sat up instantly, pushing her hand away with his arm, looking up at her, relaxing as he saw her face.

"Oh, Ela, just you…" Poland smiled, "Czego chcesz? (What do you want?)"

"I brought you food," Hungary stepped back, grinning, so he could see the tray of steaming dishes.

Poland's eyes grew wide and his jaw dropped. He brought his hands to his mouth, looking up at her with a half concealed squeal of excitement, "ELA YOU MADE ME PIEROGI!?"

"Not just Pierogi…" Hungary grinned, picking up a plate of steaming dessert.

"You made me Sernik!?" Poland nearly leaped out of bed to hug Hungary, "How did you do this, Ela? How!?"

"Well, Russia was nowhere near the kitchen and I thought you could use some cheering up. Did it work?" Hungary laughed, hugging Poland back.

"Yes, it worked! Dziękuję Dziękuję Dziękuję! (Thank you)"

Hungary smiled, "You're welcome. Now, eat before it gets cold! I'll be nearby if you need me. Are you feeling any better?"

Poland nodded, grinning. He walked to the nightstand and leaned over the plate, taking a deep inhale of the smell of the food. Instantly he hunched over, bringing his arm around his face, coughing until he fell to his knees.

Hungary knelt next to him, putting her arm around him, rubbing his back. "Are you sure you're getting better?" she asked as the coughing slowed.

He leaned against her shoulder, exhausted. He nodded slowly, trying to catch his breath, "Yes…" he didn't move, letting his head rest on her shoulder, letting her rub his arm gently. "I'm getting better. I promise…"

"Good," Hungary smiled, helping him back into bed, "Now, I brought the food on a tray so you don't have to get out of bed…" She picked up the platter and laid it across his legs, smiling at him kindly, "When you're finished just call me ok?" She pushed his hair behind his ear motheringly and smiled.

Poland nodded, "Ok." He looked down at the food. It smelled delicious. He glanced up, watching Hungary step towards the door. He stopped her, "Ela?"

Hungary turned to look back at him, "Yes?"

"Dziękuję. Really."

Hungary smiled, "Just, try to eat it, ok? You need to keep getting stronger."

Poland nodded, "Ela?" He stopped her again.

"Yes?" she turned around with a sigh and a smile.

"Will you check on Liet for me? I'm… I'm worried about him…"

Hungary nodded, "Ok. I can do that."

Poland smiled, "Ok. I'll eat now. I promise." He picked up the fork and looked down at the steaming pierogi, pastry stuffed with meat and cabbage and vegetables, with a good amount of sour cream piled on top. He grinned, starting to eat like he hadn't had food in months.

…

*A/N: Trigger Warning: The following scene involves Hungary finding Toris after a suicide attept. He is unsucessful, and I have been causious in my descriptions, as this is a potentially triggering topic for me as well. Reader discression is advised. I avoid triggering words, but there are some mild descriptions of blood. Nothing too graphic. I have tried to be careful.*

Hungary stopped in front of Lithuania's door. She took a deep breath, biting her lip. She hadn't seen him all day, and usually, he was around cleaning something, cooking something… but she hadn't seen him. She tried to tell herself she'd just missed him at every turn. It was a big house. She could have easily missed him. Everything was fine. She was sure everything was fine. She reached up and knocked on the door.

"Toris?" She said softly.

No answer.

"Toris?" She called a little louder, giving a firmer knock, "Toris are you in there?

Nothing.

She bit her lip and turned to the door knob. She tried to turn it. It was locked.

"Toris are you ok?" She called louder, banging on the door.

No answer.

"Toris!?" She slammed her shoulder against the door. It didn't move. She knelt, looking at the doorknob. It was an old-fashioned style lock, and wouldn't be difficult to pick. She glanced around the hallway. No one was watching. She pulled two pins out of her hair and bent them to shape, slipping them into the lock. She heard the last pin click, snapping the lock open. She turned the knob and stood, rushing into the room. She didn't see him. His bed was perfectly made, his clothes laid out for the next day on the long chest at the foot of his bed. None of the lights were on in the room, and the curtains were drawn.

"T-Toris?" She said again, suddenly worried. He could have locked his door to keep Russia out, and she hated to think that she might have invaded his room needlessly. She looked around again, trying to see if he was hiding somewhere. It sounded silly to her to think he was. She turned towards the door, taking the hair pins from the lock, checking to make sure it still worked. She turned the lock on the inside, hoping it would close properly behind her. She stepped towards the hallway when something caught her eye.

Light.

A little sliver of light under the bathroom door. She stopped, pausing to listen. She heard nothing. Slowly she walked up to the door, laying her hands on it, pressing her ear to the wood. Was that water? Not running, but the sound of water faintly splashing against the tile. A bath? She bit her lip. She didn't want to interrupt him. She stepped away from the door, biting her lip. She glanced towards the open door to the hallway. She didn't want to interrupt Toris, but there was a twist of worry in the pit of her stomach that would go away. She looked back at the bathroom door and reached up, closing her eyes for a moment before knocking.

"Toris?"

She heard a faint splash.

"Toris are you all right?" She called again.

Another small splash, but no reply.

"Toris if you're all right, answer me!"

Nothing.

"If you don't answer me, I'm coming in!"

Again she heard a very faint splash, but no reply.

Hungary closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, and closed her fingers around the door handle. It wasn't locked. She kept her eyes closed as she stepped inside. She turned to the bathtub and opened her eyes.

She screamed, bringing her hands to her mouth suddenly, rushing to the side of the tub, throwing herself on her knees. The water was already dark red. She grabbed Lithuania's closest wrist, lifting her apron to it, pressing down hard, desperate to stop the bleeding. She reached for his other arm, relieved to see it wasn't injured. She reached up to touch his face.

"Toris?" She whispered, turning his face towards her. His half closed eyes and faint breath reassuring her that he was still alive. She pressed harder onto the gash in his wrist, lifting more of the white cotton fabric onto it, watching it soak through almost instantly. She pulled off her apron, folding more fabric over his wrist, pressing down with both hands. "Please, come on please…" She whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her hands shook, her breath catching in her throat. She touched his face again, trying to turn him to look at her.

"Toris? Toris can you hear me?" She begged.

He didn't respond.

She looked up to heaven for a moment, then back at Toris's face, "Please, please, come on… please hang on, please…" She bit her lip harder, trying to calm herself down. Trying to focus. She looked around the room, closing her eyes and shaking her head as she saw the missing knife from the kitchen dropped beside the edge of the tub. His blood was still wet on the blade. She looked around the room again, trying to think of a way to get him out of the tub. She needed to get him to the bed. She couldn't leave him. She couldn't take her hands off his wrist. She turned towards the door, keeping her hands firmly on her apron, pressing down as hard as she could.

"HELP!" She screamed, "SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!" She didn't know or care who would come. She needed help. He needed help. She couldn't lift him on her own, not out of the water…

It seemed like hours before she heard footsteps coming towards the door. Her heart dropped. No… She didn't have time to think of an explanation before Russia stepped through the bathroom door.

The giant country gasped, rushing to the side of the tub, kneeling beside Hungary.

She stared at him. His face was horrified, worried, and almost pained. She couldn't see one shred of anger in his eyes.

"Russia I don't… I don't know what to do…" She trembled.

He looked at her, sighing deeply. He pointed towards his arm as she pressed onto it, "Is that…?"

She nodded.

"Here, you keep your hands on that, I'll pick him up, da?" Russia asked, his voice low and worried.

She nodded again, biting her lip, looking back at Lithuania.

Russia pulled off his coat, throwing it carelessly onto the ground and pushed up the sleeves of his shirt, taking off his gloves and tossing them beside his coat. He stood, leaning over the tub, reaching under Lithuania's legs and back, lifting him slowly, "Hungary, get his head!" He said urgently.

Hungary reached forward, putting her hand behind Lithuania's neck, keeping her other on the would, supporting his head. She looked up at Russia and nodded.

Russia pulled him the rest of the way out of the water, turning to get him through the door while Hungary still gripped his wrist. Gently he carried the smaller country to the bed, motioning for Hungary to move the covers.

Hungary lifted Lithuania's head, resting it against Russia's shoulder, turning to flip the covers over the bed. She bit her lip, helping carefully as Russia laid Lithuania onto the bed, pulling the covers over him to his waist.

Hungary looked up at Russia, "You hold his wrist, I'll go get towels and medical supplies. If… if that's all right?"

Russia nodded, not looking at her. He pressed his hand over her's on Lithuania's arm, letting her slide her hand out from under his, "I've got this, go. Hurry." he nodded.

Hungary glanced down at Lithuania for a moment. He was covered in blood, his hair soaked. His eyes were closed and he hadn't moved since she'd called for Russia. She could just see his chest rise and fall with very faint breath. She ran out the door and down the hall to get to the medicine closet. She grabbed everything she could think of. She needed Estonia. She didn't have time to look for him. She flew down the hall again, carrying the medical supplies and a few towels. Poland's door flung open as she passed it. She stopped, turning to look back at him.

"Ela? Ela what's going on?" Poland's voice was serious, though weak.

"Never mind, Felek, please…"

"Liet?" Poland looked into her face

Hungary looked back into the deep green eyes staring at her. She couldn't lie. She nodded.

"I'm helping." Poland walked forward, completely ignoring her half-hearted pleas for him to stay in his room.

"Feliks…" She shook her head, angry. She turned, running after him, following him into Lithuania's room. She watched in shock as Poland barely seemed shocked. He grabbed a towel from her arm and ran up to the bed, immediately starting to wipe the blood of his friend's chest and hair.

"Toris, it's me," he said, gently pushing Lithuania's soaking hair out of his face, wiping away the red trail it left across his forehead, "I'm right here. Please… please…" He bit his lip. He looked up at Russia, "You know how to stitch wounds, right?"

Russia nodded, "Da," he didn't look at Poland, turning to Hungary as she set the medical supplies down on the nightstand. He grabbed a band and tied it around Lithuania's upper arm, twisting it tightly. He sighed, looking back at Lithuania's face, "Hungary, give him pain killers please, hurry."

Hungary stared at Russia, nodding, digging through one of the boxes she'd grabbed, her hands shaking so badly she could barely grip the syringe. She filled it and started towards Lithuania's arm.

Russia shook his head, pushing her hand away, "Nyet, it's tied off. Neck," he said quickly, reaching past Hungary to grab another syringe, larger, made for cleaning wounds.

Hungary slipped the needle into Lithuania's neck, looking up at Poland. The blonde country was concentrated on his friend's face, with one hand touching his forehead gently, the other holding his hand.

Poland looked up at Hungary, biting his lip. They couldn't let him die. It would take him hours longer to heal if he died. He pressed two fingers into Lithuania's uninjured wrist, trying to feel for a pulse. It was weak, but there. He sighed in relief nodding to Hungary, "He's still alive."

Hungary sighed too, turning back to Russia, "What do you need?"

"Water. Now." Russia said, motioning towards the bathroom.

Hungary took the bowl from the supplies and ran into the bathroom, turning on the water to warm. She tried not to look at the tub. She didn't want to see it. She filled the bowl and turned off the water, running back to Russia, holding the bowl to him as he filled the large syringe. She forced herself not to look away as he pulled the soaking apron away from the wound. Blood instantly started to seep from the wound, but it was slower, just a few trickles instead of the gushing wound she'd seen before.

Russia cleaned the wound carefully with water first, then saline. He looked into the gash, shaking his head and swearing.

"What?" Hungary whispered.

"Get me a table and a light. Please, hurry," He looked up at her.

She barely recognized him. His expression was worried, almost hurt. His eyes were upset, but not angry, though his voice was still rough and urgent. She ran to the corner of the room, grabbing a small table and bringing it to Russia. She threw one of the clean towels over the wood and watched as Russia gently laid Lithuania's arm across it. She looked at the dark-haired country's face again. He wasn't conscious. She was worried.

Russia looked at the wound again, shaking his head.

"What's wrong…?" She asked again.

"I need Estonia…" Russia almost growled, sighing deeply.

"I can go and get him for you-"

"He's in the basement with GDR."

"W-What…?"

"I sent him down… maybe an hour ago. Please, hurry. Go get them both. And pray Estonia is still able to be helpful…"

Hungary looked up at Poland, who shivered and turned back to Lithuania. She ran through the door and down the stairs, around the corner, and down the hallways that never seemed to end. She turned past the kitchen and ran down the basement stairs. She stopped, listening. She winced, running up to the black door and throwing it open.

"Gil, stop…" She froze, staring at him. He held Russia's pipe, raised to strike against Estonia, who was bound to the wall, his back covered in bruises. She sighed, almost relieved to see that it was bloodless.

GDR looked at her, dropping the pipe immediately, "Liz?"

"Gil, Russia needs you to stop… we need Estonia." She looked down at the blonde man, who lifted his head. His face wasn't damaged.

"What does Russia need?" Estonia asked carefully as Gil immediately started unlocking the cuffs around his wrists.

"He needs you to help with Lithuania."

Estonia closed his eyes, sighing deeply. He didn't need to ask. He stood, wincing, grabbing his shirt from the corner of the room and throwing it on, buttoning it carefully. He ran out the door and started up the stairs.

Hungary didn't move, still staring at Gil. "What… what are you…?" She stared at him.

"I had orders," GDR shook his head, trying to walk past her.

She grabbed his jacket, stopping him. She shoved him against the wall and slapped him as hard as she could, satisfied to see the shape of her hand appearing in red on his white cheek, "What is wrong with you!? Orders?" she swore, glaring at him, "Don't you tell me you would do this just because you had 'orders'… don't tell me that…."

Gil didn't look at her, keeping his face turned away where her slap had thrown it. He set his jaw, closing his eyes.

"You better have a d*** good reason for this, Gilbert! Why? Why would you listen to Russia? Why would you-"

"Because if I don't prove to Russia that he has my loyalty, I don't get to go to Berlin. And I don't go, I can't stop RAF from trotting my brother and I can't… I…" he looked down, "I can't let that happen. And I will WHATEVER I have to to make sure it doesn't!" he shoved her arms off of him, staring down at her, "Any more questions for me, Hēderuvāri?" he snapped.

"Just. One," she stared up at him, her voice hot with anger, "Are you loyal to Russia? Really? Truly loyal to him?"

"What do you think?" Gil snapped, motioning towards Russia's pipe on the ground. He pushed her back and walked through the door.

Hungary glanced down at the pipe laying on the stone. Away from Russia's hand, it looked so simple. It didn't look threatening. Just a pipe. Just a metal tube… she looked back towards the door, watching as Gil disappeared around the corner up the stairs. She shook her head with a sigh and ran back up to Lithuania's room. Estonia was already inside. He and Russia were both working to fix Lithuania's wrist. She sighed deeply, meeting Poland's eyes. They were still worried, but more hopeful than they'd been before. She bit her lip and glanced towards the bathroom door. She took a deep breath, determined to make herself do something. She walked into the room and stared at the tub. She leaned down, picking up the knife, setting it on the counter near the sink, and turned to the tub again. She closed her eyes, shaking. Images of the past invading her mind. She shook her head. She didn't want to think about it. She knelt, reaching in and pulling the plug, turning on the fresh, clear water. She watched the last of the blood spiral down the drain with a sigh of relief. She picked up a clean washcloth and wet it, starting to wipe away the stains from the tile walls and sides of the tub.

Hungary looked back towards the door with a sigh of relief when she heard Estonia and Russia's voices sounding relieved and happy. She stood, standing in the doorway to watch. Estonia and Russia had finished repairing the inside of the wound and had started stitching it closed. She saw Poland cross himself and press his hands over Lithuania's. There were tears streaming down his cheeks. She brushed her own eyes, sighing in relief. It was over. For at least a little while it was over. Russia wasn't angry, Lithuania was safe, Poland was getting better… She stood straight suddenly, gasping. I have to tell Bela…

A/N: There's a lot happening at once here. Prussia trying to prove himself, Poland is doing SO much better. Estonia's pretty chill about everything. (as usual). Russia's snapping from incredibly cruel to very normal and even kind... Lithuania's... not doing too well... and Hungary is trying to keep everything from completely falling apart. And getting mad at Gil. Because Gil deserves it. Especially here. yup. More of his reaction to all of this to come. I promise. An intense chapter, I know... but an important one. Things are falling apart in the USSR more and more... everything is slipping, and honestly, the countries can't really survive like this for very much longer... the plot continues to thicken as things reach their boiling point... We're still a little ways from the wall's collapse, but it gets closer with every chapter!

Fun fact: This is the longest chapter so far. I actually crossed 4,000 words with this one (excluding these author's notes too!)

Thank you to all my loyal reviewers! You really keep me going! I'm sorry the update schedule has slowed. I'm still recovering from illness... though slowly but surely I'm getting better! Thanks for all the get-well wishes! I think it's working! XD (I'm feeling a bit better but this stupid cough won't. go. away...) anyways, again, thank you! Reviews are so appreciated! Polish treats for all of you! Special thanks to for the Polish translations! Dziękuję!