Welcome back to more Ballads of Hope.

To answer some confusion about the last chapter, it's more like a filler that has a purpose later in the story.

Also, please excuse some inaccuracies with the Roe vs. Wade and how they defined abortions to be legal. I looked it up and was very confused as to how they defined it, so I went with what my textbook said.

November 12, 1975

2 months pregnant

South Korea was on the phone with his boss for the umpteenth time that month. "Please, sir, listen to me, I can't stay here."

The Korean's boss responded, "I understand that you don't want to, but us and Ford have agreed that it's in the best interest of the children that you stay with America until they are born."

The Korean rolled his eyes, "Yeah, you haven't seen him and how he treats me."

His boss gave an exasperated sigh, "Listen, I know he's not taking this… as nicely as you would think, but unless he physically or sexually assaults you during the time, you have to stay there, and that would be the last thing this world needed at this moment that its representatives are having it out and attacking each other. Believe me, it is safest and most well suitable for the children."

"Oh great, another one that says it's about safety. I get enough of that from America and he doesn't want them!"

"Yong-Soo." His boss commanded with an eerie calm.

South Korea stiffened, knowing most bosses don't call the nations by their human names unless they are really friendly with each other or they were being very serious. "Yes, sir?"

"Take a deep breath."

South did as he was told.

"Do that two more times."

He did so.

"Now. I understand you want these children, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"Okay. Do you wish to not have America… support you even after they are born?"

South paused. Granted, he had been without any personal support from America, but he wasn't quite sure about after. America may not want them sill afterwards, but he couldn't be certain that America would be so cold as to refuse responsibility of helping take care of them. Then again, with how he's been acting in the past two months, rarely talking to him and avoiding him as much as possible…

"I don't know."

"… I'm assuming you either are not sure if you want him to or that you don't know if he wants to?"

"… Both, sir."

He heard scribbling in the background and started to think that he was in a psychiatrist's office. "Okay. Third question. Do you understand what this means? That this will change your life? That taking care of a child, much less twins, is difficult?"

"Whose side are you on?!"

"Yong-Soo. Calm down. I am on your side. The Republic of Korea is on your side. We think – I think – this is amazing and a good thing."

"Oh, and what does the US Congress think of all this, after all it seems they have more say than almost anyone." South added snidely.

He heard a small sigh from the phone, "To be honest, Congress hasn't decided yet. It seems they agreed to this because it was a way to put the actual debate on hold briefly. They are too divided, and even if they go in our favor, it won't be by much, or it could vary well be that they can't come to a decision period."

South chuckled some, "Unless they keep bickering until after the third month."

He could imagine the raised eyebrow on his boss' face. "And what do you mean by that?"

South leaned back in his seat in the dinning room, "Since Roe vs. Wade passed in Congress two years ago, abortions can only happen freely within the first trimester. After that, states regulate it based on health to the fetus and the mother. So, once I'm in 4 months, they can't do a thing about it."

His boss gave a small laugh, but then returned to seriousness, "That may very well be the case with humans. However, humans and nations are completely different situations."

South rolled his eyes, "Unless they will be so high and mighty with upholding their decisions even with their nation."

There was a knock on the door.

"I've got to go, sir. I'll call again later."

He hung up the phone and walked towards the door, opening up to the visitor.

"Konichiwa, Korea-san."

"Ah, Japan, didn't expect you to be here." South had mild surprise on his face. As of their pregnancies, they had been around each other a lot more, somehow by passing the foreign problems of theirs as they had a common issue.

He let Japan in, and noticed how Japan had a slight bump. "Already showing?"

Japan stiffened slightly, but then relaxed a little, "I'm surprised England hasn't found out yet."

South face-palmed himself, "You still haven't told him yet?!"

Japan rubbed his forehead, "Not really."

South tossed his arms up in mock defeat, "How exactly did you hide the morning sickness and the bump with him not knowing? Either you are more clever than I anticipated or he is as blind as a bat!"

Japan took a seat in one of the armchairs in the living room, South doing the same. "I really don't know. Half the time I think I'm just lucky."

South, feeling just like his boss, gave an exasperated sigh, "Why aren't you telling him this? Unless you had cheated on him and it's not his kid-"

"Which I didn't!" Japan interjected.

South pointed a finger at him briefly, "Point proven. Therefore you have nothing to worry about."

"But I do." Japan interrupted again.

South shook his head in a stressful way, "Then what is it?"

Japan paused briefly, "I just don't know."

South gave a stressed groan and hung his head. He looked back up at Japan after a few seconds, "You know you make no sense whatsoever, right?"

Japan raised his hands in mock defeat, "Well sorry that it's confusing."

South answered back, "At least you would have someone that would support you. England doesn't seem like the kind of guy who would abandon a person because he doesn't want a child. Granted, he's not the best parent, look at Hong Kong, but at least he would try."

Japan quieted down, thinking about what that meant for his "little brother."

After a couple of seconds of silence, Japan looked at South Korea, "…What's going on with you and America-san?"

South took a deep breath and looked out the window. "He's still not listening. We've been avoiding each other, and every time we talk it's through gritted teeth and venom in our words."

Japan nodded silently, "Does this mean-"

Before he could finish, South spoke somberly, "If he doesn't change his attitude I will leave him, if that's what you're asking. It's getting to the point where I can't stand him."

Japan looked at the area rug; a tense, sad atmosphere was in the air.

Meanwhile

New York City

America was walking to his car in the parking garage, heading back to the house he was dreading. He didn't want to argue with South. It's been too long since they were last civil with each other. It's always "the baby this" and "the baby that." It was driving him nuts. He wanted things to go back to normal.

He was grudgingly walking towards his car when he heard a distinct British accent calling after him. "Oi! America!"

England walked up to him, slightly out of breath, "Do you know if Japan is at your house?"

America glanced up after unlocking his car, "How would I know? I've been at a meeting since this morning."

England sighed, "Just wondering."

"You need a ride, dude?"

"Yeah, I need to talk to you anyways."

America quirked his eyebrow at the remark, but shrugged it off and got into the car. As soon as the car drove out of the parking lot, he asked, "So… what's happening?"

England took a deep breath and leaned back in the seat, "Just… Japan seems to keep to himself."

America shrugged, "Isn't that normal?"

"It's more so than usual."

"And? Maybe he just needs some time alone. Jeez, you guys have marital issues over such small things." He added the last part to himself, but England still heard him.

"It's that he doesn't really… I don't know how to put it. He brushes off any of my attempts at affection. I tried to kiss him or hold his hand he moves away. It's as if he doesn't want me to love him."

America briefly looked at him with concern, "Do you think he's-"

Before he could finish, England interrupted, "He wouldn't cheat on me, at least I hope so."

America looked confused for a moment, "I was going to say that maybe he needs some space. It's kind of like how most Asians are. I mean, I remember South just woke up in a very foul mood one day and I just left him alone. Two days later, he's back to his normal self."

England appeared thoughtful for a moment, "It's possible." However, he looked out the window, and the possibility of cheating hung over him like a veil.

Five minutes later, as America drove out of the busy heart of the city and into a more leisurely street just outside, England spoke, "So… How's it going with you and South Korea?"

One could see the visible irritation on America's face at the mention of his lover, "Every time we see each other it's nothing but fighting. Either we want to punch each other in the face or we just argue pointlessly."

England nodded in acknowledgement, "Seems nothing is changing for you two."

"To be honest, I'm surprised he's still living with me right now." America wiped his forehead with his hand.

"Did his boss say anything?"

"I don't know. I don't keep track of that kind of stuff."

It was silent for the rest of the ride.

Back at America's House

South and Japan chatted about nothing in particular, from weather to their dogs. The subject of pregnancy had remained untouched for a while, neither wanting to gain more migraines from arguments.

Just then, they heard rustling from the bushes just outside the bay window. South Korea rose and slowly approached the window and peered out. A brown head bounced into view, making the two Asian nations jump in surprise.

Japan then sighed in annoyance, "China-san, you of all people should know not to do that."

China looked at the two with a cheeky smile. "I thought it was funny, aru."

South spoke with aggravation, "Why are you here, Aniki?"

China was taken aback by the younger's tone, "Since when were you so easy to anger, aru?"

South sighed, "You try having to deal with America these days. Anyways, he's going to come home soon, and I don't think he would appreciate a 'communist' in his house."

China stifled a small laugh, "He's the one who finally recognized me as the 'true' China, aru. And yes, I do know what he's like."

South shook his head and walked towards the kitchen. China decided to walk towards the front of the house and enter, figuring he could at least talk with these two for a while.

South came back with three mugs of tea, having at least tried to be a bit more hospitable to China. They sat there for a bit, casually having small talk about economic issues and what news was going on in each of their countries.

China noted Japan's bump, and that South was more emotional than normal. Though he already knew of South's predicament, even if the younger had no clue about it. Japan's case was curious to him and he decided to poke him.

Japan jumped and made a little squeak, causing South to be on edge, too. "Nani?!"

China chuckled some. "Aiya, didn't think the opium bastard had it in him still."

Japan flushed, "How did you know?"

South narrowed his eyebrows at China, feeling slightly protective of his own young he was carrying, and now knowing that America's worries had somewhat come true. He curled his legs up and over his stomach area, keeping it out of sight of the older nation. China noted South's movement, and felt slightly saddened by the fact the younger felt it necessary to be protective around him.

He sighed and leaned back in his seat, "To tell you the truth, with you, I just saw the stomach, aru. South's on the other hand…"

South clenched his fists and he slightly moved away, feeling the motherly instinct kick in.

China looked over at him, hurt in his eyes, "Vietnam and Cuba had actually found out first, aru."

South froze for a minute. He didn't really mind Vietnam too much, and he didn't know Cuba all that well, though he seemed like someone who minded their own business. He just worried if they told who he think they told.

"Does… my brother know?" South looked hesitantly at China.

"He and Russia know, aru." China looked at South to see his face.

South was a little hesitant with his brother knowing, since he never liked America, that's one thing he did kind of think through in the past 2 months. Russia on the other hand…

"Does Russia want to do something, China-san?" Japan spoke, much to South's relief.

China's face darkened some, barely being caught by the other two, but a neutral face quickly replaced it. "We aren't doing anything. Besides, I don't see a reason why we would need to do anything. For now there's nothing we are fighting about with America, and we would like to keep it like that for a while. Not all of us like arguing constantly."

South relaxed somewhat; still wary about why China was here in the first place. "Still, why exactly are you here?"

China looked over, "Can't I come and see my family when I like to?"

Japan spoke, "Well, you do need to tell them and not drop in when you wish."

"Aiya! Are you suggesting that I'm an inconvenience?!"

Japan chuckled some, "Not quite, but it would be embarrassing if you decided to visit at the wrong time. Remember when you accidentally walked in on England-san and I one time-"

"Aiya! Don't remind me, aru!" China yelped as he threw a pillow at Japan.

Just then, America's car pulled into the driveway, raising some alarm bells in the Korean's head. China looked outside briefly, but didn't move from his spot. Japan looked between the two, wondering if America was going to do something.

As America walked in, Japan shrunk into his seat some when he saw England behind him. England looked over at Japan, and frowned slightly when Japan chose to look away from him. America walked past South, and neither spoke. However, a spark of tension could be seen between the two. America looked at China, a hint of surprise on his face.

"Dude, I thought you had to go back to your country."

China shrugged some, "Figured I could at least visit some family before I left."

England warily watched China, as the two of them have yet to ease their tensions as countries, and was bracing himself for a possible snide remark.

Instead, China said quite nonchalantly to him, "So, I bet you're quite happy, opium?"

England raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

China chuckled some, "Well, you and Japan-"

Before he could finish, Japan dragged China out of the room, "Sumimasen, but I need to speak to China-san in private!"

They dashed out of the room, leaving two bewildered Westerners and one neutral Korean.

"What was that about?" America looked at his boyfriend with confusion.

South just shrugged, "I've been good about staying out of their business and I am not getting involved now." As far as America and England were concerned, to him, they didn't need to know from him.

Japan was in the kitchen with a very annoyed China. "What was that about, aru?"

"China-san, please do not tell him about the child!"

"Shouldn't he know, aru?"

Japan paused for a moment to compose himself. "Listen, things are a bit… complicated right now, and England-sand can't know."

China sighed and gave him a stern stare, "Is it because you're nervous that he won't like it? Or that you really don't know what to do?"

Japan took an interest in his feet and the floor. He really didn't know what to do, and seeing how America reacted wasn't helping anything. He may be overreacting and jumping to conclusions about England, but wasn't it normal to worry? He wasn't even sure if he was ready himself.

"… A little of both, perhaps." Japan was very quiet giving his answer, and China had to lean in to hear.

"Aiya. You make things to complicated for yourself, aru." China sighed. "At least make sure he doesn't find out on his own. That is the only thing that could be worse, aru."

Japan nodded. At that time, England walked in. Japan stiffened a little but relaxed under the other's warm gaze.

"Love? Are you alright?" England asked with some worry.

"Hai. Just China-san needs to learn to keep quiet sometimes."

"Why you-" China started angrily.

England pulled Japan aside. "Remember the saying in my country? Don't poke the bear? Perhaps you shouldn't give China an excuse to bring out his wok?"

Japan rolled his eyes and stifled unsuccessfully a small laugh.

Just then, screaming and yelling could be heard from the living room. The three nations peered into the living room and saw South Korea and America at it again with one of their arguments.

"Would you just fucking stop!?" South yelled at America. "I'm sick and tired of hearing you every fucking day!"

"Well sorry that I'm concerned for you!" America angrily spat.

"Concerned!? All I'm seeing is a boy who is throwing a temper tantrum because he isn't getting anything he wants!"

America threateningly stepped towards the other, "Would you stop with the damn insults!?"

"And why should I? Last time I checked I didn't take orders from you!"

America tried grabbing the other's hand that had pointed at him.

South shouted, "Don't you dare touch me!" and slapped America across the face.

The other three nations were silent, not daring to enter and break it up now. America glared at the Korean with pure fury in his eyes, while said Korean glared back as if taunting America into harming him.

Before any more harm could come to either one, there was a cluttering sound coming from the nearby closet. All the nations turned towards the closet, which the sound stopped, as if something froze in there. America walked hesitantly towards the closet, his footsteps echoing across the wood floor. He opened the door, only to be launched backwards by a punch from the unknown inhabitant of the closet. The person, man in appearance dashed out of the closet and towards the window. Before jumping out, the unknown man and South Korea's eyes met. The unknown man had a deer caught in the headlights look that quickly changed to fear. South, equally as shocked, stared after the man, not moving a muscle.

The man disappeared from sight as the other three nations decided to check on America. America's nose was bleeding, not badly, but enough to cause a fair amount of damage. His glasses were thrown across the room, towards the fireplace. He was grunting in pain, and had trouble sitting up for a couple of minutes.

South Korea looked inside the closet, wondering how someone could fit in there. It was filled with junk mostly, some stuff that America had yet to clean out, mostly old clothes and some boxes that contained broken equipment. The left over space that wasn't filled was incredibly tiny. Someone who was extremely thin would barely be able to fit, hence why some stuff had fallen. He looked at the ground and noticed a shiny object. He picked said object up, and, on closer inspection, his eyes widened in shock.

Japan walked up behind him, "What are you doing, Korea-san?"

South quickly put the object in his pocket. "Just seeing what other damage was done."

Japan noted the object falling into the other's pocket, but decided not to press the issue and instead turned towards China who was inspecting America's nose. "How bad is it?"

China examined the American, "Not bad, mostly just blood, but the nose itself is intact, possibly just the impact that caused it, aru."

America groaned, not really paying attention to anything but his nose. South glanced at him briefly before leaving the room, "Excuse me, I need to take care of something."

America followed the other with eyes until he left the room, then sighed in frustration and sadness.

South Korea was in the spare bedroom, back against the door, and anxiety radiating from him like light from the sun. He gripped the metal object in his hand and looked closer. It was a medal that would usually be pinned to a uniform, and this particular one was made in North Korea.

Why was he in there? How much did his brother hear?

In the middle of the woods…

North Korea ran like the wind. He tripped over roots and ran into branches, but still he kept running. His breath was heavy and labored.

He eventually came to a clearing. He collapsed and curled up on the ground, tears slowly brimming in his eyes. He choked back sobs.

"Why? Why did you have to see me!?" He yelled at no one in particular.

He slowly sat up on to his knees, "What am I going to do?"

Earlier that week

"I want you to go to your brother's place this week, understand, my kitten?" Russia was sitting beside North Korea, slowly stroking the other's head and brushing over the bruised shoulder from yet another harm he caused. His eyes were like cold ice, voided of any emotion other than sweet, evil, vengeance.

North Korea slowly gulped in fear, and shivered as he brushed his shoulder. "I'm not sure he's at his house."

Russia gripped the shoulder lightly, but it was enough to send North Korea into a squirming fear. He leaned in and whispered into the other's ear, "You will do this, you understand, da? After all, we agreed that we would wait for a few months, and it's been two. You know what you need to do, and the knife is waiting for you."

North Korea slowly nodded his head, and started walking towards the front door. Russia looked after him from the couch, "I'm waiting for you."

North Korea was crying, barely able to dry away the tears now flowing endlessly from his eyes. "I couldn't do it… I couldn't do it."

He hugged his knees, and held his face in between them and his chest. "Russia is going to kill me… What am I going to do?"

He then pulled his head up a little, "Maybe I could just say there were complications and it couldn't be done. Yeah, I'm sure he would be okay with that. He's been patient so far. Maybe just a little bit longer won't hurt?"

He pulled himself up and started going towards a part of the forest where he came to a road. Pulled to the side, he saw Vietnam talking with Thailand next to their car.

He approached them a little cautiously, "Excuse me."

Vietnam turned, a little startled, but warmed up to seeing North. "Well, I didn't think you would have stuck around after the meeting."

"Some very odd complications happened I couldn't leave just yet."

Thailand, though not communist, was quite relaxed around the Korean, even if he was a little unsettled about the rumors of him. He wasn't as concerned about the communists as some of the other nations such as the ones in Europe. He looked at him with a small smile, "You need a lift?"

"Yeah, please."

He and the other two entered the car and started driving off. He starred out the window trying to conceal the anxiety now forming inside him.

All three pregnant nations glanced upwards towards the ceiling or roof of the car, and a single thought passed through them.

What am I going to do?

End of Chapter 7

Have a Happy Halloween everybody!