"Russia?" France had lost all color in his face, but he could still move. Unlike Britain who was a complete popsicle. And possibly standing in a pee puddle. Come on, Britain. Have a little dignity, "What are you doing in Britain's bushes?"
"I heard you had moved in with Britain," the lead pipe popped up with a man attached to it. He seemed sweet. I don't understand why France and Britain would be afraid of him, "And I happened to be in neighborhood. I wanted to say hi to my friends. Is that so wrong?"
"No," France settled him, "But maybe next time you could just knock on the door. Why were you hiding in the bushes?"
"So I could jump out and surprise you," he smiled. I love him, "Who's your new friend?"
"I stepped out from behind France, but France still blocked me, "She's just passing through."
"Hi," I managed to slip past him, "I'm Terra."
"It is pleasure to meet you, Terra," he stepped toward me, putting France on edge, "I am Russia."
"You are just delightful, Russia," I felt a strange warmth in my heart, "It's nice to meet you, too."
"Um, Terra..." France took my hand, "Could I have word with you please?"
"Sure," I nodded, putting a finger up to Russia, "Give us just a quick second, ok?"
"Take your time," Russia let us go.
France pulled me aside to where Britain's statue stood. I'm surprised, France didn't move him with a hand cart, "What's up?"
"You get a pass because you're new around here," France waived, "But that's Russia. He's a bit terrifying."
"Seriously?" I wondered, trying to get another look at the guy. Dammit, France. Why do you have to be so tall?
"Don't make direct eye contact!" France pushed me down, "That's how he gets your soul."
"It's true," Britain started to unthaw, "I've seen him do it."
"I highly doubt it," I rolled my eyes.
"He's right," France agreed, "I heard he's eaten a baby whole"
"A human baby?" They have to be exaggerating.
"I heard the same thing!" Britain gasped, "But with a box full of kittens. That's why relations with Russia and Greece have never been good."
"Actually," Russia joined us, petrifying Britain again, "Things with Greece and me are fine. Why would I eat box of kittens? They're so cute and cuddly. Claws are sharp."
"Terra," France put a protective arm around me, "Why don't you go in the house?"
"No," I shook my head, "I'm good out here. Thank you."
"No," Britain took my hand, "Come along, Terra. You need to go inside. We're not sure where your lineage comes from, so you shouldn't be out in the sun like this."
"No," I jerked my hand away, "I think I'll be fine. I don't see what has you two so spooked."
"It's bloody Russia!" Britain stood his ground.
"And I want to go play with Russia!" Light tremors shook the ground.
"I'm sorry, Terra," France sided with Britain, "But no. Go inside."
"No!" I shoved them both off me, "I'm taking a walk. Russia?"
"Da?"
"Would you care to join me?" I asked, a piercing glare impaling France and Britain.
"I'd love to!" Russia agreed, his face aglow.
I slipped my hand into his. My god, Russia has some big hands. And so cold, "Let's go. We'll be back later."
"But Terra..." If I could shoot laser beams out of my eyes, France would've been a pile of ash, "Oui. Have fun. Be home before dinner."
"Thank you," I kissed his cheek. Then, Britain's shortly after, "Love you. Je t'aime."
And so, Russia and I wandered off from Britain's house. I still didn't understand why they were so afraid of me being alone with him. Russia seemed perfectly fine. They're just paranoid. Or they're overly protective. Maybe a healthy mixture of both. I mean, I did come into their world wet, naked, and barely standing. They have every right to be concerned about me. Especially France. He's the one that found me. I understand why he's so jumpy, but I had to let my kids go. Why can't he?
Regardless, I shook those thoughts out of my head and went back to basking in the sunshine with Russia at my side. He seemed perfectly harmless. We walked a little further down the road and Russia had brought me to an open field of nothing but big, beautiful, bright yellow sunflowers. This place looked like something out of a fairy tale. And it had taken my breath away. I feel like I've painted this before.
"Russia..." I stood back in sheer awe, "What is this?"
"This is large patch of sunflowers," he pointed out, "It's nice, is it not?"
"It's incredible," I started walking through it.
"Do you like it?" he followed close behind.
"I love it," I beamed, "Why did you bring me here?"
"Because," Russia explained, "You deserve beautiful place. You struck me as beautiful spirit. It's not often I can come here anymore and I'm glad I had you to bring with me."
"Thank you," I blushed a bit, "Have you ever brought anyone else here?"
"Nyet," he shook his head, "You're the first one. But if you see scary lady named Belarus, don't tell her that. Definitely don't tell her you were here with me."
"Why?" I chuckled, "Jilted lover?"
"Sister," Russia corrected me, "She's...I don't want to say overprotective, but she can be clingy. If she had her way, we'd already be married. I don't have heart to say no. And I really don't want her to castrate me in my sleep. That's why I keep lead pipe around!"
"Yikes," I cringed.
"Terra," he took a seat on the ground, "Can I ask you question?"
"Sure," I allowed, "What's on your mind?"
"Why are you not afraid of me like everyone else?" Russia wondered.
"Because I have no reason to be," I started picking a few of the bigger flowers, making sure to keep the stems on, "You seemed very sweet, so I figured you were worth getting to know better."
"That's because I have such a sweet face," he poked at his cheek. Russia wasn't lying. He does have a very sweet, lovable face.
"And I'm sure a sweet person is behind it," I smiled.
"I wish other countries saw me like you do," Russia let out a heavy sigh, leaning back on his elbows, "They're all afraid of me. It makes it hard for me to make friends. I mean, sure. I have Lithuania and Estonia and Latvia. Then, I have my sisters. Not all of them are certifiably insane. Ukraine is ok. But to consider any of them friends? I don't think they would respond like I would. My Baltic friends just work for me."
"Why are all the other countries afraid of you?" I wondered, twisting some of the stems together.
"Probably because of some things my boss has made me do," he figured, "We've all done some things we're not proud of. Some of us have high body counts. But it is so much more than that. Just because I've done these things doesn't mean I like it. Everyone has me pegged as sadist, so I don't get chance. That's why it made me so happy to see you defend me, Terra. You have very kind face, too."
"Like I said," I reminded him, tying off another piece of the stem, "I have no reason to fear you, Russia. I like you."
"Thank you," Russia smiled, making my heart melt again, "It can get lonely being me. It's nice to be able to talk to someone so kind that isn't afraid of me. Or trying to kill me. Or trying to smell me while I sleep. That's nice, too."
"It's been my absolute pleasure," I rested my head on his shoulder, nursing my broken heart and finishing up my handiwork only to put it on top of Russia's head, "There. All done."
"Spasibo," he started turning red, "Terra..."
"Yes, Russia?"
"Do you think..." Russia stopped himself, "Never mind."
"No," I insisted, "What is it?"
"Do you think..." he pushed through, "I could maybe have a hug?"
I threw myself into his chest without another thought. Russia gave me the same feeling Canada did. And much like Canada, I didn't want to let him go. Relax, Terra. You don't need to break down. Although, it's becoming increasingly difficult holding tears back. And because Russia was so big, he completely wrapped himself around me, almost as protective of me as France was.
"Russia," my voice shook, "If you need a friend again, don't hesitate to find me. No matter what France and Britain say."
"Thank you, Terra," he kissed the top of my head, "Speaking of France and Britain, I should probably take you back home, shouldn't I? Before they start to worry."
"Ok," I nodded, swallowing the swelling lump in my throat, "Is that alright with you?"
"It's fine," Russia took my hand and helped me up, "It really has been pleasure being with you today. Despite how short."
"Remember," I shoved my finger in his chest, "You know where I live. If I'm not there, I'll probably be with one of my big brothers."
"America and Whatshisface!" he chimed, "I know them!"
"Canada."
"It has been some time since I've seen America," Russia thought it over, "He's least afraid of me. I should see him more, too."
"Why not?" I approved, "Come on. I'm sure France and Britain are hopeless wrecks without me."
As soon as our day began, it came to an end. Russia...He's something else. He's just a lonely guy. And I never wanted that hug to end. The thought of how long it's been since someone has done that for him killed me inside and I'm going to suppress it as much as I can. Russia gave me a soft, gentle kiss on my cheek and sent me back inside to my anxious fathers, no doubt tapping their foot.
I could see it already. Britain with a cup of tea, staring into the fireplace, rocking himself back and forth to keep his head about him. He insists that France have some, too. That it would steady his nerves as well. But not France. I knew him better than that. France is standing at the window, nose pressed against the glass, half a bottle of white wine in, already a slight buzz going. Where did she go? Why isn't she back yet? What body parts are going to be missing when she walks in?
Let's see…If I were France and Britain, where would I be? I know neither one of them are asleep. I'm not home yet. They can't be in the bedroom. They just got back from a weekend of that. If they're drinking their problems, then Britain keeps his good scotch in the drawing room. It wouldn't surprise me if that's where they were.
"Papa?" I called out into the house, "Britain?"
"Terra?" I heard France's feet thunder like a pack of wild horses through the upper level of the house. Immediately, he threw his arms around me, "Oh, merci mon Dieu, tu vas bien…"
"Yeah…" I gasped for breath, "And if you're not careful, you may disfigure my spine."
"Sorry," he let up a little, but not much, "But you're ok? Russia didn't do anything to you?"
"Quite the contrary," I scoffed, "Russia was nothing but a perfect gentleman. What the hell is wrong with you two?"
"Excuse me?" France gasped.
"Beg your pardon?" Britain concurred.
"You're so quick to write off Russia!" I snapped, "I just had the most wonderful afternoon with him and look! I've come home unmarred! Yet, you had me almost believing I'd come home with a few body parts missing! He's not some sort of psychopathic ax murderer like you two seem to think he is! And if you're really going to judge him because of what he's been ordered to do, I'd check to see if your own hands are clean first. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to bed."
"Did you feel that?" Britain froze in his tracks.
"Feel what?"
"I felt it, too," France agreed, "It's like there was some kind of movement outside."
"Don't try and distract me," I shook them off, "Good night."
A/N: Hi. Welcome to my PSA on why Russia needs love. I have a SERIOUS soft spot for Russia. He's my little peanut and I love him. Russia's a massive cinnamon roll and the world needs to realize this. That's why he gets the flower crown of sunflowers. Because he's a little ball of sunshine. That's one of those things that I love about Terra. She doesn't see the bad in anyone and always stands up for the little guy. Romano? Canada? RUSSIA? Just wait until the day she meets Prussia. It's going to be an absolute delight. Now, for a question…
Who do you feel is the most underrated? Some of them could be overshadowed by their sibling. Some could be too swept off to the side. Some could be quickly written off. Who's underrated? I'll see you next chapter! xx