Chapter II

"Don't lie to me, Toris. I know you don't like games."

Lithuania blinked. Undesirable memories were nagging at his mind while he tried to work on cleaning up Russia's (rather large) house. He couldn't help but think about the drunken- hellish- nights as he swept up the broken vodka bottles in Ivan's bedroom. He tried not to remember about the days and weeks without food he was forced to endure. He tried not to dwell on those fateful days when his people were exiled to Siberia.

Over and over again, his instincts pleaded for him to stay away, but Toris always found himself wandering near the living room to check that Ivan was safe and sound.

He was.

It was hard, but Lithuania had forced himself to call home again to let Estonia know he was staying for the night.

"Hello? Eduard?"

"Toris!" His voice was sharp and biting and Toris flinched at the harshness of it all. This was not going to be easy. "Toris, you're not hanging up on me again! What's going on?"

"There's something wrong with Russia…"

"…"

"I mean, he's different, and it's unnerving. "

"You're not making much sense, Toris."

"He's just… Calmer… And I'm not talking about the calmness before the storm or anything, but it's like he received a lobotomy."

"A lobotomy?" Estonia sounded skeptical—it was infuriating for him, Lithuania. "Wouldn't it have been better if he received one earlier?"

Lithuania wasn't sure how to respond to that. "D-don't say that," he stuttered. He felt Estonia had no right to make any judgment when he was the one who always got the easy way out. "I'm serious, Eduard. I'll be home tomorrow noon."

"…What?"

Lithuania sighed. This was not something he wanted to repeat. "I'm staying for the night."

"Toris—!" Estonia immediately protested.

"Listen to me!" Lithuania cut across him. He was in no mood for berating. He was sick of hearing that he was weak and irresponsible. He was sick of hearing how the "grown ups" should step in and take care of everything. He was trying so hard, so why…? "He's not well!" Toris's heart welled with self-loathing as his voice turned out much harsher than he intended. "If Ivan's condition is common knowledge, there's no doubt some countries will be out for revenge. He'll be ripped apart all over again."

"Are you pitying him?" Estonia demanded.

"It's not pity," Lithuania said quieter this time. "It's help."

There was a slight pause.

"… What about your own work? You'll be back?"

The image of the stack of papers from Ukraine still left on his desk hovered in his mind. "I'll take care of it tomorrow when I get home."

Another pause.

"You can't keep this a secret forever. Word will eventually get out, and when it does, everyone will not be happy about this. They'll accuse you of taking advantage of Russia's state of weakness."

Lithuania closed his eyes. Of course—it was bound to happen. "I know… America is on my list." To tell. "I'll take care of it. Trust me."

"Alright."

"Oh and also-"

"Hm?"

"I think it would be best-" Lithuania clenched his eyelids tightly as if expecting some sort of physical blow "-that Russia would stay with us for a little while after he recovers. He's in no shape to even walk."

"… If that's what you want." His voice sounded restrained Lithuania noted.

"That's it. Thank you. You'll let Latvia know?"

"Yeah. See you later then."

"Good bye."

Click.

Lithuania returned the phone to its place on the kitchen wall, which he leaned against, burying his face in his hands for the countless time that day.

That night, the world seemed like a much more distant place.

-x-X-x-

"How are you feeling?" Toris was grasping his hand at first, but Ivan made it clear that he preferred to cling onto one of his arms instead. It gave him a sense of power, and in desperation to justify himself, he told himself it was a sort of paternal power—or maybe it was something entirely different, something on an entirely different level.

"I'm better."

"That's good."

"Toris?"

Lithuania stroked his hair. "Yes, Ivan?"

"Do you think I'll die?"

The Lithuanian's heart skipped a beat. Why would Russia be asking about this? "I-Ivan?" He was horrified to find that he was smiling as if his question was perfectly normal.

"I can feel the death spreading throughout my bones. It's an odd feeling, Toris. " He chuckled and Toris's chest tightened. "I'm used to the cold, of course, but this is something new—I'm not afraid though. I feel like he's waiting for me."

Toris found himself wrapping his arms around the blonde's figure tightly. "Don't say that. Don't say that. You won't die; I'll save you. "

Russia didn't say anything to that but remained in Lithuania's arms. Toris wasn't sure how long they stayed like that—but he wished the noon would never come.

-x-X-x-

Lithuania never thought that leaving Ivan's house would be so painful. He felt his heart cracking as he walked down the same over-grown pavement. Guilt pounded in his chest and spread throughout his veins like a disease. His self-assuring thoughts did little to ease his inner turmoil. Toris didn't dare to look back for he knew Ivan would be staring after him behind foggy glass with those same foggy irises.

Ivan knew Toris was coming back, he had promised him with a kiss planted on his forehead. He promised he would be the one to protect him this time, that he would be safe and warm—that he needn't be afraid.

Toris wrapped his arms around himself and buried his nose into the collar of his shirt even though it was quite warm today. Uneasiness filled him like sand as he reached his own doorstep. He pulled the key from his breast pocket—he had left his own blazer at Russia's as a token or reminder that he would be back.

He shuddered in the invisible cold, ready to face his two brothers.

-x-X-x-

There were two men, and they were seated at a rectangular table at opposite sides. The room they were in was dimly lit.

"Can't there be one century where we can live in peace, Gilbert? I'm telling you, you shouldn't carry out your plan," the blonde one said, obviously exasperated.

The man named Gilbert scoffed as he reclined in his own chair, perching his feet onto the table much to the displeasure of the other. "Relax, West. My people are getting restless you know. The land is dying and they know it. We just need to negotiate a little more living space."

The other—Germany—grimaced. Living space, it was a terrible phrase that reminded him of one of his more violent ex-bosses. "Don't do it," was all he had to say. "England, France, and America will stop you."

Prussia shrugged, unconcerned. "I have it all planned out. It'll be fine. But the question is-" he paused to take his feet down so that he could eye Germany properly "- will you stop me?"

Germany opened his mouth to say something, but closed it. Instead, he glared at the other. He didn't like Gilbert's intentions but there was no way he could raise a hand against his own brother. "You know I won't."

He grinned, his red eyes glinting. "I'm not the villain, so don't give me that look like I was one or something."

Ludwig wondered in the back of his mind why no one ever listened to him.

-x-X-x-

"You-" whack "idiot!" whack whack. "For the last time-" whack "listen to me-" whack "when I'm talking to you!"

England was halfway over America's desk with one of his knees pressed on the corner as he smacked the blonde over the head a couple times.

America was fending off the attacks weakly. "Ugh, stop it, I'm listening!"

England heaved in heavy breaths as he regained his composure. "Alright then. You know why I'm here. I received intelligence that Russia is in a state of utter destruction."

America willed himself not to sigh. Lithuania was right; he should've listened to him. "Well that was expected. I barely survived my own five years. Russia's was ten years for God's sake."

"What are you planning then?"

America shrugged. "The obvious I guess. We'll send aid to the standing government. I hope you're doing the same, Arthur?"

America's desk phone rang before England got the chance to answer. Alfred held up a single finger as he answered the call and he grumbled, peeved.

"Hello? Lithuania? Yeah… I'm with England."

There was a pause. England strained his ears to hear whatever Lithuania was telling America who nodded. No use.

"Is that so…" Another brief pause. "Will you need help?"

His face changed to that of concern as England fiddled with the corner of his desk impatiently.

"Okay then, we'll talk about this later." America hung up and rested his chin on his interlaced fingers.

"Well?" Arthur demanded.

"Lithuania is already sending support to Russia. He also told me that information on Russia's condition isn't very widespread-"

"Well of course-"

"-and that it would be better if it remained confidential."

Arthur blinked. "What? It's Russia. People are bound to find out about it whether we tell everyone or not. "

America nodded, his gaze hard. "Others will be out for his resources. I hope it won't be driven to the point where we'll have to send troops to Russia."

"He won't have it," England dismissed.

"According to Toris, we don't know what he will or won't have. The man is in an extremely fragile state he says."

"Well did he elaborate?" America shook his head.

"No, he said he'd explain in a proper meeting."

England folded his arms. "Well isn't this a giant clusterfuck."

Despite himself, America found himself grinning.

-x-X-x-

"Do you think I'm doing the right thing?"

"Hm?"

Lithuania was lying on his own bed, his eyes fixed on the ceiling, unmoving. Latvia was standing on the side. He was worried about his older brother and decided to check on him after Toris locked himself in his own room for hours.

"Do you think I'm doing the right thing? After all we've been through, is this the right way to go?"

Latvia fidgeted with his hands, uneasy. Lithuania was already worn and stressed—what should he say to him? He understood Lithuania's motives and outlook well, but he felt Lithuania was also throwing himself onto thin ice—that or shark infested waters. The latter seemed much more fitting.

It was true—Lithuania was worn and stressed—so why was he doing this to himself?

Because he's the only one out there than can save Russia.

"I…" He started nervously, but his voice only trailed off.

Toris shifted his head to face the flustered Latvia and smiled. The smile, however, didn't reach his green eyes. It seemed tired and starved. "It's alright, you don't have to answer. I'm sorry for putting you in such a position."

"Don't say that," Latvia managed to get out. He felt tears gathering in his eyes but his confidence was building up. He wasn't going to let Lithuania burden himself with countless loads. "Don't say that, Toris! You told Feliks that you would be fine!"

Tears were spilling out now and Lithuania was looking at him with utter shock. "You told him you wouldn't kill yourself! I was outside your door and-" Raivis shook his head, trying too rid himself of his own crying, "-and everyday, you work yourself beyond your limits! You told us that it wasn't going to be like the past anymore but…" He locked his watery gaze onto him.

"… what's different?"

It was Lithuania's turn to be at a loss for words. "Latvia…"

Latvia threw himself over the Lithuanian, enveloping him into a tight hug. "Just don't-" he sobbed, "-don't worry about me and Eduard! It's Ivan that needs you. We'll be fine." He couldn't say anymore, and the only thing he could do was to cry out the rest of his tears into Lithuania's shoulder.

Lithuania returned the embrace, resting his cheek against the blonde head of his younger brother. Latvia's passionate sentiment on the matter was clear to him now.

As he wiped away the other's tears while speaking words of reassurance and promise, he felt his own heart grow lighter. His lips formed two words.

"Thank you."

-x-X-x-

Lithuania decided to make it a part of his schedule to visit Russia's house. Every hour away from the weakened nation made his stomach heavy with anxiety.

He unlocked and knocked on the door before opening it. "Russia? I'm back."

Lithuania wasn't really expecting a verbal response but the silence still worried him as he stepped inside.

It didn't take long for him to find Ivan, though. He was curled up on the same sofa he had slept on the other day, his shoulders rising and falling in a slow, even rhythm.

Toris found it best not to disturb Ivan at the moment, so he made his way towards the kitchen instead.

He placed the food he had bought on the counter, careful not to make much noise.

As he set to preparing the fresh ingredients, Lithuania nagged at himself for leaving Russia alone for as much as a day. He doubted the other moved much since he left, not even to fix something for himself to eat. The feel of his ribs haunted Lithuania's fingertips. He grimaced and hastened up.

-x-X-x-

There was crying.

Sobs and pleas were ringing in his ears.

Ivan had given up trying to convince the unknown presence to stop. The erratic howling and whimpering drowned out his own voice. Agonized screams layered over the crying and Ivan felt a growing pain in his head.

There were too many voices—too many things were going on, he couldn't keep up to the begging. He couldn't even make out the words. The words were muffled, yet the screaming and sobbing were somehow more than audible in his ears.

"I can't help you," he tried saying again. He noticed that he couldn't see. It was pitch black. He felt his face pull into a frown. Obviously there was no one here—so where did all the shrieking come from? '

Russia walked forward—well what he felt as forward, there was no way to tell which direction he was heading in—with an arm stretched outward as if he could feel where he was going.

The hysterical wailing was driving more pain through his mind—he longed for it to stop.

"Please stop, please stop. It hurts."

The crying had faded, but the tortured screaming grew louder and louder and-

"Vanya."

Russia froze. That voice… It sounded so sweet, something sacred, something so sanctified.

Something he could never have.

"Vanya."

But that voice was calling for him. He needed to answer it.

Then there was something above him; he looked up to see a growing light—the only thing in sight. He reached towards it, his fingers spread wide like a black spider.

He woke up to a world of light and color.

The first thing he saw were radiant green eyes—except they were glazed over.

"Who…?" He cringed as a sharp pain shot up his throat—it was raw.

"Vanya… It's me, Toris." He sounded scared. Russia felt his own fear ebbing away at the sound of the nickname. "You were… You were… screaming…"

Russia cocked his head in bewilderment. "Me…?" He flinched again at the pain in his throat.

"I tried to wake you up," he continued, "but you just went on."

Whatever fear was left pounded in his chest as Russia rested his chin on Lithuania's shoulder. He smelled of something familiar; it was nice. "Say it, say my name again."

Toris complied, "Vanya."

It was beautiful. He felt warmth blossoming in his core as he pressed his body against the other. The Lithuanian was very warm himself, just like always.

Toris fondled with the lightly colored locks of hair. He whispered words of affection and comfort into the other's ear as he rubbed the ends of his hair between his fingers.

The steaming pierogi left on the kitchen table remained untouched for a while.

-x-X-x-

And TBC in Chapter three 8D Sorry this one is so short, I promise it'll get better next chapter.

Thank you guys for all the feedback I received on the first chapter, it was more than I expected OwO –hugs everyone-. I love your guy's reviews; they keep me going x3

Some Notes:

Pierogi is a Slavic food. It looks like a typical dumpling and it can be filled with pretty much anything from meat to cheese to mushrooms and even fruits owo. I never tried it myself but it does look kind of good XD

Pierogi also seems to be a favorite of Ivan along with vodka. Oh Lithuania, you're so thoughtful.

Vanya is short for "Ivan" so it's a nickname of endearment XD

Hope your guys enjoyed~ x3 ciao.