Friday, December 6th, 1991: 19 Days until Christmas
I suppose I'm one for wandering. Especially if all I have to look at are prison walls all day and all night, then yes. I'm a wandering connoisseur. And I know that it gets me in trouble sometimes, especially if I run into someone I'm not supposed to like America or England or God forbid the Soviet Union. But I can't help it. Especially when they make escaping so easy!
I walk around the halls of the complex, looking at the different doors and limited access areas. The exit signs that glow red, the bulletin board with English words all over it, and room B216. I kneel down next to the door and slip a note underneath. A few moments later the note is returned. I open it up and read it.
I'm doing okay, perhaps a little jealous of your nightly escapades. I could never be so nimble. I just wish they'd let me out of here, these walls get closer every day. Anywho, please don't get caught like last time, your ankle looked absolutely terrible. Love, Roderich.
I stifle a laugh at the 'love, Roderich'. He must be going insane in there if that is how he is signing his letters. I move on with my nightly routine, trying to read the English on the boards, sighing at the food schedule, hiding behind a corner as a few American men make their way through the hallway. That's when I stop before room F415. I kneel down and slide a note underneath. It takes some time for it to return but it does. This is what makes my nights.
I am doing fine now that you've arrived. I wish I could see you. I don't mind being in this room, it's the being alone that bothers me. America comes in here almost everyday, he talks so damn much. I don't know what he wants, but I'm suspicious. Russia isn't allowed to come in here alone so you don't have to worry about that. Honestly, I worry more about what he does to you. I saw how bad your ankle got. Is that feeling any better? I know you told me to be nice to everyone but sometimes I can't help it. Normally they send Canada in here to give me food and check up on my health but they stopped sending him after I overpowered him. He looked like an easy target. I apologize, I know I'm making things worse for myself, but I just hated the way he spoke to me. Please be safe out there. - Germany
I sigh softly and shake my head. Must that boy always be so violent? Either way, I'm glad he's doing as well as he can be in this situation. I put my hand on the door for a moment before turning and walking away. As I head back to my room, I notice Canada standing near one of the doors, writing something down on a clipboard. A devious plan formulates in my mind as I slowly approach him. He's so engrossed in whatever he's doing he fails to notice me, allowing for me to push him against the wall and cover his mouth. He gasps into my hand and drops the clipboard, eyes wide with fear.
"You should really be careful," I begin in a hushed voice, "your enemy shouldn't be able to sneak up on you like that." I'm close enough to feel his heart pounding away in his chest. Maybe I scared him a little too good. Poor boy. "Promise you won't scream?" He nods and I uncover his mouth.
"How do you keep getting out?" His little voice is so soft and cute I can't help but smile every time I hear it.
"Oh? You are not happy to see me?"
"I-I, no, you should not be wandering about the building. . . Can you please let go of me?"
I slowly release my grip on him and he sighs in relief, picking up the clipboard. My heart flutters as his eyes return to mine and I scold myself for catching feelings for this boy. This is not the time. Nor the place, evidently. I'm too busy admiring his adorable face I don't catch the words coming from him. How does he get his hair to look so soft? Falling just past his shoulders in loose dark blonde curls. Adorable pink lips that I know for a fact are warm and plush.
"Prussia?" I blink a few times.
"Hm?"
"Did you hear anything I just said?"
". . .No." I admit. He sighs.
"Do I have to walk you back to your holding room?"
"You could, if you want to make sure I don't go anywhere else." I say with a teasing smile.
"Alright, let us go then."
Our walk back to room B105 is silent. Normally I'm great with words but unusually I'm not sure of what to say. He opens the door and turns to look at me.
"How is your ankle?" He asks.
"A lot better, thanks to you."
"Glad to hear it. . ." A heavy silence passes between us as I'm torn between kissing him or not and he waits to see what I'll do. "Well, you should go in before someone else sees you out." He finally says.
"Very well." I walk into the bleak room and sit on the creaky cot in the corner.
"You should really stop sneaking out of here. It is only luck that has you run into me and not America or the Soviet Union. They roam around the facility as much as I do."
"Maybe the risk is worth seeing you." I say with a small smile. A blush begins to redden his youthful face as he looks down.
"Flattered as I am, I do not wish for you to get needlessly hurt." Before I can reply, heavy footsteps make themselves known down the hall and I see Canada look to his left.
"What are you doing up so late?" I hear Russia's voice before I see him.
"Checking on the rooms, making sure everyone has what they need." He answers in a meek voice that makes me want to hold and comfort him.
"That is not necessary." Russia's gaze falls to me, voice stern almost as if he is scolding Canada. I feel inclined to help.
"He just escorted me to the restroom is all."
"I was not speaking to you," he turns back to Canada, "don't let him out of here again. He should be able to wait until morning like everyone else."
"Yes, sir."
Russia closes the door but they do not walk away from it. I can see their shadows underneath the gap. Cautiously I walk over and hear their conversation.
". . .too nice for your own good. Before you enter any of their rooms, especially this one, I want either myself or America with you. If we can not at the moment they will have to wait. Your safety and well being is much more important to me than theirs."
"Of course, I apologize."
"It's alright. You should get some rest."
I hear only one pair of footsteps fade away down the hall before the sound of the doorknob turning makes me jump. A smile marks my face as the door opens but falls immediately when Russia walks in.
"Not expecting me?" He asks darkly, pushing me back and causing me to fall back onto the cot. "I don't know how you do it, but I will personally break every single bone in your body to keep you in this room." I never used to be very fearful of Russia before. Honestly, we used to be very good friends before the two world wars, but after Berlin I can't help but be fearful.
"Perhaps investing in a better lock would do you well." I suggest.
"Do you always have a smart ass reply to everything?" He grabs my left wrist and pins it down on the cot, "I'd like you to find something smart to say after this." He straddles me and my body freezes in fear as the fight for Berlin plays across my vision. I hear clicking sounds from above me but I do not register what is happening until he lightly slaps my cheek a few times.
"No, no, no, you don't get to drift away from this. I want you to be completely and fully aware of everything I'm about to do to you."
"What more could you do to me?"
"Wanna find out?" He says while taking my right wrist and breaking it like an insignificant twig from a tree. I bite my cheek and groan as the pain sharply shoots down my arm and sears my wrist. "I have noticed that you don't handle pain very well, perhaps this is how I will teach you to obey." He brings my right arm down by my side and holds it in place by putting his knee on my wrist, making me yelp out in pain. He roughly feels up my forearm, feeling my bones and smiling lightly to himself as he comments about how small I am. I try to struggle but with his weight and my left wrist cuffed to the cot it's no use. There is absolutely nothing I can do to get away as he wraps his hand around my forearm and pulls up sharply while pressing down on my wrist. I hear it break before I feel it, but when I do Russia covers my mouth as I scream.
"Uhn, there it is." He says softly, letting go of my arm. "There you go. . . that's it, breathe through it," he says while running his hand through my hair, "I'm going to do that again to your left arm."
He reaches over and uncuffs my wrist, taking it into his hand and causing me to shake.
"Please, don't, I'm sorry, I'll stay in this room, please." I beg.
"Hmm," he bends my wrist and I panic, "but if I literally break you, you will be physically unable to escape. That sounds much more reliable to me."
"Ivan, please-" He hushes me by covering my mouth.
"If you don't want me to do that to your other arm, I suggest you stay put in this room. Next time, save yourself the trouble."
He cuffs my wrists to the cot and I groan in pain. Thankfully he doesn't expect an answer from me and leaves the room.
"Gilbert."
I open my eyes to Canada gently shaking me.
"Hm? Oh, sorry I didn't mean to fall asleep." I say, looking through the car windows.
"It's okay, I remembered where it was."
"Good memory." I comment while unbuckling myself.
"Also it's like one of the nicest neighborhoods in Munich."
"So it has become." I sigh out as I watch him get out of the car. This second return to Munich almost feels just as unreal as the first. It's almost exactly the same. Germany comes out and hugs me for a long period of time, helps me get settled into my old room, offers to make me food. I just sit on the side of the bed for a while, thinking about what I should do from here. What is there to do?
"If you need any help just give me a call." Canada says, breaking me away from my thoughts.
"I will. . . How long are you going to stay in Europe?" I ask, patting the bed beside me. He sighs and sits down next to me.
"I'm not sure. America is begging that I stay for Christmas but I really don't like being around other nations. Especially when it's Europe."
"Well, it would be kind of awesome if you did stay." I tease, causing him to smile.
"I'd stay until the New Year if you wanted me to." He says in almost a whisper. I lean in a little closer to him and he does the same.
"That'd be nice."
"Maybe it would be."
I kiss him and he places a soft hand on my cheek. I'm really going to miss him.
The door opens and for a few seconds I couldn't be bothered to stop and I guess neither could he. As I pull away he shyly looks down at his lap.
"Well," Germany begins slowly, "good to see that you are all settled. Canada, I'm sure Frances is sorely missing you."
"Uh, yes, it is getting a bit late," Canada stands up and walks across the room, stopping at the foot of the stairs, "if you need any help with anything just give me a call." He offers.
"I'll consider it." Germany says coldly. Canada opens his mouth like he's going to say something, but ultimately leaves. The air is heavy with silence for a while as he places a plate of food on the nightstand.
"How are you feeling?" He asks, sitting down next to me on the bed.
"Pretty good. Much better than when I first got here."
"You look amazing."
"Thanks. . . You seem upset."
"I'm not upset, why would I be upset? I'm very happy that you are back home." He says while putting a hand on my knee. I look at the hand then back at him.
"You've never been good at lying to me."
"Well, uh," he stutters, "it's nothing more than the break-up and you being gone. You look a lot better by the way."
"Thanks. . . How are you handling it."
"As well as you'd expect." I give him a sympathetic look and place my hand on tops of his. "Much better now that you are back. I was worried about you staying in Canada."
"Why? Cause it's cold?" I say with a hint of laughter. He smiles ever so slightly.
"Partly. Also because I don't know much about Canada really."
"He's wonderful, there was nothing to worry about." I say while laying back on the bed.
"I guess. . ."