I don't own Hetalia okay? I would like to thank all those who have stuck with this story so far. While word count, it isn't that long chapter count due to format is kind of high. Anyway, enough of this A/N, on with the fic!
July 4th 1917
(From the diary of Alfred F. Jones)
Well today was a nice birthday, we even had Mattie come along. It had been a rough week for him, getting adjusted. I mean it's rough moving somewhere new when you don't have shell shock. I will say that Natalya had been nicer than I was expecting. She is very strict and I worried that she'd see what I am assuming as shell shock as some do, as a failure of moral character. No, she saw it as more justification to hate the leaders of Europe. She had been really bitter since Ivan had shipped off. Less so angry at him once the whole thing settled in, but as she says, "If those aristocrats handled their disputes like men, then the average person wouldn't be sent to the killing fields." When I did come home with Mattie, it was just as I thought would happen with Nikolai, he thought he had an extra copy of his dad. I had motioned for Mattie to introduce himself. He was reluctant, and didn't want to talk to anybody but it was also for Natalya to judge him. One of her big things on meeting someone is how they treat her son. Nikolai went up to him and said, "You look a lot like Daddy."
Matt then said with a slight smile, "I am your Uncle Mattie and haven't seen you since you were born."
Nikolai then looked a little shy and said, " Want to play with my ball with me?" He placed his favorite ball in his hands.
"Sure." Matt smiled, for the first time in awhile and Natalya looked relieved. She worried he'd snap and hurt him.
"Outside though. You've nearly broken enough things." She replied as Nikolai then gave Matt the ball and led him to the backyard.
And while he has been here, he has had a few flashbacks and episodes like before, especially when the trolley or a loud truck goes by but he's slowly getting an idea of the warning signs and tries to get himself somewhere private until it passes. Dinner the first night back he nearly had an attack but got up and ran into the bathroom until it passed. I asked him why and he said he didn't want to scare Nikolai. I did tell him the fact he could sense one coming on was a sign he could use to get it under control. Gave him a little hope.
He did seem to handle the boardwalk fine. He did have to sit down a few times as walking isn't easy for him. They couldn't get all the shrapnel out. He did manage to keep some of his shooting skill, he won Nicky a teddy bear at one of the games while we were out. Natalya was watching him like a hawk but it seemed like he would be okay with Nicky. He really seemed to take to his Uncle Mattie at least. Once could say it was a nice birthday present.
So how was that? Good? Bad? Short? Long? Let me know in a review. Once again, thanks to all who fav, review and follow all this. Anyway, remember to read, well you just did, and to review. Ciao for now,
otherrealmwriter
aka
Realm.