'The truth is, no matter how old we are, we want our mother...'
Cold fear gripped him as he ran. Russia wasn't sure who he was running from, but he was terrified and - Oh God, they were getting closer - he just wanted them to go away. He wanted to stop running but there was nothing else for him to do, if he wanted to live - could he feel their breath on his neck? - he had to keep going, even though he was exhausted and wanted to cry.
His pipe was gone, as was his coat, and his scarf was bunched in fear around his neck, afraid to trail behind him in case they got him - was that a growl? How many of them were there? - and he kept going, not sure where he was running, but hoping wherever it was would be salvation, or at least, a painless end.
He screamed loudly as finally, the darkness closed in and he was dead -
England had been doing his nightly rounds, once again slipping out of America's room, stretching as he glanced over at Russia's room. The door was shut today, but England debated just checking in on him. It wouldn't do any harm would it? Then he mentally smashed his head against a wall. Russia was an adult who could look after himself. No matter he was the same age as America... No matter he looked so young... and so lost sometimes...
England growled, shaking his head. France chuckled across the corridor as he exited Seychelles's room and England idly thought about throwing him out the window again - no, that wouldn't do, he didn't want to cause a ruckus and wake up his babies after all. Besides, he got some satisfaction from the limp the wine bastard had from earlier that week.
"AHHHHHHHH!"
His head whipped around, and after checking it wasn't one of his colonies, he turned back, meeting France's worried eyes as he ran back down the corridor towards England, who already had one foot in Russia's room as others came bursting out of their rooms, weapons at the ready. He saw the thrashing nation, who was screaming in his sleep, and he jumped into action. France was a step behind him, then Germany. "Help me hold him down! He'll hurt himself!" England shouted.
Germany and France ran forwards and grabbed his arms and legs respectively, grunting a little with effort. America had arrived by now, and stood over his enemy, looking alarmed. He slapped his cheeks. "Russia! Russia, dude, wake up!"
"NOOOOOO! DON'T HURT ME PLEASE! I CAN'T TAKE ANYMORE, NOOOOO!"
America looked flabbergasted, withdrawing his hands. The other nations gathered at the door immediately looked pityingly on Russia, lowering their weapons. Lichtenstein, who had begun to weep at Russia's convulsions and begging, was promptly removed by Switzerland. China also looked on the verge of tears as he walked into the room, at a loss to what to do.
Go to sleep my baby
Close your pretty eyes
Angels up above you
Look down on you from the sky.
America's head snapped up in disbelief. Why would someone be singing at that moment? It really wasn't appropriate! The looks on the other nations' faces said the same thing.
Great big moon is shining
Stars begin to glow
It's time for all the tiny babies
To go to sleep
France was the first to realise what the song really was, and he turned to England, partially skeptical that the island nation would do such a thing. All eyes started to turn to England, most in shock, as they hadn't seen the softer side of England, who was stroking Russia's hair and singing, a soft expression on his face.
Go to sleep my baby
Close those pretty eyes
Angels are above you
Keeping watch over you.
Russia was calming down, and his eyes opened blearily. France and Germany let go as the semi conscious nation took in the form above him. "Mama?" he whimpered pitifully. England just smiled, continuing to sing, quieter now that the noise had died down.
Big blue moon is shining
Stars begin to peep
Time for little tiny babies
To go to sleep
Russia's eyes slid closed as the song ended, and England continued to hum the tune until his breathing had evened out, and the creases in his face were gone. Even then, he remained by Russia's side, one hand still stroking Russia's hair. The island looked up, finally, and scowled at all the nations gathered in the doorway.
"Shouldn't you lot be in bed?" he snapped, eyeing up the colonies in particular, who immediately ran off to their rooms to avoid the wrath of their motherland. The other nations stood in amazement, their opinion of the island completely changed, even as England passed them, head held high and proud in the same manner he had always had it.
07/09/18: ack! Has it really been that long?! So sorry, I was on holiday then jet-lag and all that hit me like a bus... well here's a chapter anyway.