Welcome to Chapter Seven of this story. While the other chapters were from at least six months ago, this one was written a few days ago. It is also the last of the pre-written chapters.

After six months of not even thinking about this, I was suddenly inspired to write another installment of it. (Even though I have no inspiration for Elts' story right now, and I'm busy working on other projects.)

This one expands this story's universe even further by dragging Latvia and Lithuania (and their respective protégés) into the mix.

I almost feel embarrassed by how long I'm actually making this, since the first installment was just supposed to be a 'what if Hetalia and my original story were part of the same universe' scenario, but I'm just having so much fun writing this!

Since inspiration for this comes and goes, I have no idea when I will write the next installment of this. (Just letting readers know in advance.)

*Hetalia does not belong to me, blah, blah, blah. Elts and the other characters from her universe do, however, blah blah, blah.*

Installment Seven

The first thing Eduard noticed when he woke up was bare skin. Squinting his still-tired eyes, he sat up, realizing that Elts was shirtless. Confusion overtook him for a few moments before he remembered that the copper-haired girl threw off her nightgown during a panic attack.

The morning light made it possible for Eduard to see the detailed extent of the scars on his protégé's chest and torso. It's worse than I thought. He particularly winced at a pink 'Y' that traveled from her shoulders down past her navel.

After a few moments, Elts stirred, rubbing her eyes before sitting up. Looking down, she quickly pulled the blanket up so it covered her chest, her cheeks going pink. "I am so sorry about that."

"It's okay. You had a panic attack."

"Yeah, but this is the second time I've ended up throwing off my shirt around you. It's indecent. I—"

Eduard cut her off. "It's not a big deal. I've been around for a long time, Elts. I've seen people of both genders with less on than you." Realizing that what he said could be taken the wrong way, he clarified, "Lithuania, Latvia, and I were sent to Siberia along with our people. We weren't there for as long, but still. And during wars, I helped out in the hospitals. Believe me, nudity is nothing new, nor shameful, to me."

Elts nodded, though she didn't meet her mentor's eyes. "Not even Taaveti saw me this way, until we got to the facility, that is."

"I take it you were dating this 'Taaveti', then?" Eduard knew he had work to do, but he wanted to know more about Elts that didn't have to do with the facility.

"Yeah, but not anymore. We found it was better to stay friends. Which was a good thing. He helped me so much, and I didn't want to lose him." Her grip on the blanket tightened. "He started out as an online friend, and his messages made living with my mother bearable. If I didn't have him, I probably would have killed myself before I even made it to Saint Francis International Academy. When I discovered he was chosen to represent Finland, I couldn't believe it. He was my first friend there, before I met Liene and Liutas."

Eduard was about to respond, but the familiar sound of his phone going off stopped him. "I'll be right back, Elts. You can help me with work afterward."

Grabbing his phone off the nightstand, he looked to see who was calling before leaving his room and answering it. "Raivis?"

"Eduard, I can't do this…"

"What?" Usually, Latvia would at least begin his phone calls with a greeting. He hadn't heard the younger boy this unnerved in a long time.

"She's hurting so badly, and I don't know what to do!"

"Raivis. Calm down. Who are you talking about?" Estonia had an assumption, but he wanted to make sure he was correct before he said anything.

"Miss Liene!" the Latvian choked out. "She was a successful test subject for that immortality project I'm pretty sure your government told you about. Except it ruined her. She needs help walking, and she can barely eat. Moving too much hurts her, but she says she hates being idle because it allows her fears to consume her." Latvia took a deep breath. "I had to help her shower, yesterday. She tried on her own, but she couldn't do it. I saw hernaked, Eduard. She was so humiliated, but she toughed it out because the water on her back calmed her. And her body. It was all covered in scars, scars that would put Toris' to shame. I…I can't help her. I can barely help myself!"

Estonia felt sick. From what Elts told him about Liene, the damage was deep, but hearing its severity from Latvia made everything seem worse. Before his brain could recognize what he was saying, he blurted, "Why don't you and Liene visit me and Elts? That way, they can comfort each other, while we can discuss this more thoroughly."

"So you want us to leave now?" Latvia asked incredulously. "I mean, I know I can get my pilot to fly us over to Tallinn, but are you sure you want to host us? I'm sure you have work to do."

"Of course I have work to do, Raivis. But this is more important. Elts—the Estonian test subject—told me some very disturbing things about what happened, specifically what happened to Liene, so I feel like having them seeing each other again might help with the healing process." Estonia tapped his fingers on the table. "Now that I think of it, Toris and Liutas should join too, if they can. Keeping the girls apart isn't helping them."

Latvia could barely get a word out before a soft, female voice could be heard on his end of the line.

Of course he'd put it on speaker; he always does that for some reason. The exasperated smile on Estonia's face quickly evaporated when he realized that the girl was probably in tears.

"I hate to ask," she murmured, "but do you have any, um, napkins?"

"Like for food? I do have plates if you want to eat anything; don't worry about getting them dirty," Latvia offered.

"No, not those kinds of napkins. I mean, ah…the ones for girls."

"Oh." Estonia could just sense the blush on his friend's face. "No, I don't. I can run out for some. And I can make you some tea for cramps; Ukraine taught me which ones are good for them…"

"Thank you, but I don't need that. I don't have monthlies anymore. I…" She cut herself off, though a gasp tore itself from her throat.

"Then why do you need feminine products?"

"Never mind; can hand'l this m'self. I…I have t' go." Before Estonia could think of why her words were slurred, another pained gasp was heard, as well as the sound of footsteps running off.

"Now you see," Latvia finally said, his voice wearier than it had been in a long time. "I can't do this. She deserves someone better to be a caretaker."

"I'm sure she thinks very highly of you; you're treating her better than anyone has in months. She's just…" Estonia wasn't even sure how to phrase what he was thinking.

"I know." Latvia sighed. "I'll be over as soon as I can; I really need to talk to you in person."

A distant cry made the short blond gasp. "Shit. I'm sorry, Eduard, but I have to go. I think Miss Liene needs me."

Before Estonia could say goodbye, his friend ended the call. Sighing, he turned around, only to jump because someone was behind him.

"It's Liene, isn't it?" Elts wrung her hands, her knuckles white.

Estonia wasn't about to lie to his (extremely intelligent) protégé. "Yes. She…she's not doing too well. Latvia's trying his best, but…"

"I know. She physically heals faster than me, but the damage done to her was so severe that the rapid healing can't keep up. And some things just can't be healed fully." Elts looked both pained and worried. "But you probably guessed that already." After a few moments of silence, she spoke again. "What is Latvia like?"

"You're actually going to see for yourself; he should be here in a few hours. Liene too."

"They're visiting?" At the mention of Liene's name, Estonia could see the copper-haired girl's eyes light up.

"Yes. And that reminds me…" He quickly dialed Lithuania's number.

After a brief explanation of the situation, Estonia was relieved. Lithuania and Liutas would be joining everyone, as well. Though, surprisingly, Estonia learned that Liutas seemed to be coping quite well, in contrast to Elts and Liene.

"Sorry for cutting you off, Elts. Lithuania and Liutas will be joining us too."

"It'll be a party, then." Though the statement was obviously a joke, it was said with such a tired tone, like her voice wasn't able to portray sarcasm anymore. Estonia almost hugged Elts again, but thought better of it, especially since she seemed to be lost in thought over Liene.

"Yeah," he finally responded. "It'll be a party."

The next chapter will introduce Liene and Liutas, as well as bringing Latvia and Lithuania into the plot, as well. That should be fun to write, XDD.

Also, Latvia's been around for like, ever. Someone mentioning their period doesn't faze him, XDD.

For anyone reading this, thanks for sticking with this story. I hope you're enjoying it so far! I know it's a strange concept, but it somehow works, I think.