The next day, all the major nations set out to France for the World Meeting. Why the meeting was held was simply to discuss the economy and what they could do to try and improve. Of course, in these times of meetings nothing ever got done because of the constant bickering and arguing. Yet, they still manage to attempt to hold a meeting in hopes of getting something done. Why they did that and what motivated them to do so was beyond anyone's knowledge.

Ivan arrived at the place in which the meeting was held with fifteen minutes to spare. He was never the first to arrive and he was never the last to arrive. So, being there early but not explicitly early wasn't a surprise. It was normal for him and he didn't think much about it.

The Russian stopped at the front door of the building and looked up. This was going to be the first time he actually looked forward to going into one of these meetings. Yes, he had enjoyed them in the past, but now he was going to be able to enjoy it with someone. Now he wasn't going to be alone. He was going to have friends who are willing to speak with him and stay with him and sit with him. Wow. That thought of such things just warmed Ivan's heart.

"Yo, Ivan!" Ivan stopped midway into the front doors as a cheery American sprinted up to him.

"Privet, Alfred." The Russian greeted with a small wave of the hand. Alfred smiled up at the man and nodded his head into the building.

"Let's go! The quicker we get in there the faster it'll be over." The American let out an obnoxious laugh and began to skip slightly inside. "This meeting is cutting into my lunch time!"

Ivan watched Alfred laugh happily and slowly disappear down the hall. The American kept looking back and motioning for him to follow, beaming as he did so. That friendly smile. It was meant for him. A friend. That smile was only given to friends and seeing how it was flashed directly at him, Ivan couldn't help but smile even more.

"You better get going, or he'll never shut up." The voice of a grumpy Briton came up behind him and was soon followed by a nudge of the arm by a Frenchman. Ivan turned to see Francis and Arthur walking inside, side by side. Arthur wore his usual frown and was scoffing at Alfred's idiotic behavior (he could still be seen laughing to himself down the hall). Francis was smiling his usual sweet grin, trying to interlock his fingers with Arthur's hand.

"Are you coming, Ivan?" Francis questioned, managing to grasp Arthur's hand in which the Englishman reluctantly acknowledged. "We'll save you a seat beside us."

"We'll save you a seat between Alfred and I so he can stop bugging us." Arthur muttered under his breath, eyebrows furrowing. He didn't mean for it to sound insensitive or just him using Ivan, it was his way of being friendly. He just didn't show it that well. Ivan took note of that, picking out the attempted friendliness. It was nice to know he had a place at the table instead of just sitting and surveying.

"Okay! Spasibo." Ivan said, returning the smile. "I'm coming."

Francis nodded and began to make his way down the hall, hand swinging Arthur's slightly. Arthur muttered something bitterly over to Francis, yanking his hand out of his grip. That remark was followed by a flip of the hair and off the two went arguing once again. Ivan chuckled under his breath at the sight of the bickering couple. Why did the littlest things like this cause him to be so happy? He didn't know… All he knew was that this day was starting out great. This was a new day. A new day in which he would make amends and become a new person.

"Ivan!" The Russian's ears perked up yet again at the voice of another friend. He turned around to see Toris sprinting towards him with a happy smile. His brown hair was tied back neatly, making his bright smile more noticeable. "How are you doing?"

"I'm doing good." Ivan replied, his grin only increasing. The last time he spoke with Toris was when he left his house that day. So much had happened since then and so much had changed, all thanks to Toris. The Lithuanian spotted that in the Russian. He noticed his changed demeanor and whole uplifted spirit. That intimidating aura seemed to lack along with the chill on your spine. Ivan… was a new person.

"Well, let's get going, shall we?" Toris said, beginning to walk down the hall, following the footsteps of the Frenchman and Englishman. "The meeting is going to start in ten minutes."

"I'll be right there." Ivan called out to him as he watched the brunette gradually walk down the hall. Toris turned, smiled happily, then continued to walk down before he disappeared around the corner.

This was amazing. This feeling of being loved… being wanted by those around. He was greeted when he walked into the building. Not even when he walked in, Alfred had said 'hello' even before he stepped inside. In the past, he never was greeted by friends or people who actually took the time to exchange words to him. They all merely gave him weird looks and shrunk back when he walked by. No one ever had the guts or will to speak with him. But now… Now was different. Ivan liked this change.

Sighing contently, Ivan began to walk down the hall towards where the meeting was. It was about to start soon and everyone knew that Germany did not tolerate tardiness. Yes, even though France was the host country, Germany always took control of it. Why? Well… he was the only one who seemed to care if things got done. Plus, none of the others cared to take up the role or speak up about how it was always Germany's by default.

Yes, everything was great. Life was great. How come? All because of love. Who knew love could make such an impact on one's life? Ivan didn't understand how he could've lived this long without learning about this wonderful emotion and feeling. How he managed to survive every passing day was a miracle. Now, he awoke with the thought of love filling his mind, motivating him to get up and start the day. This was great… It really was. Everything was perfe—

"I should've done this earlier."

Ivan froze in mid step, his eyes widening. He couldn't move. Why? His violet eyes glanced down. He took sight of a tip of a blade protruding from his side as he felt the hilt of a blade shoved against his back. Crimson began to slowly spread about his coat, painting his side red.

"After all those times you ruined my life, I finally managed to repay the favor. This pain you feel; you made me feel like this every day. Every order you made me do. All those nights of fearing to bring down my defense. That pain. I want you to feel that now. Never again will you treat someone like shit. With you gone, the world will be so much better, wouldn't it?"

Ivan opened his mouth to say something but no words came out, only silence. A light laugh escaped who was speaking as he slowly took out the blade from the Russian. Ivan fell forward, grasping his side as blood spilt from his wound.

"Who-"

His words never left his mouth for he felt a foot collide with his face, causing him to fall to his side. His breathing hitched as a vivid memory flashed through his mind. The memory of his boss beating him. The feeling of constant rejection and let downs. No. This couldn't happen again. It was happening again, wasn't it? This horrid feeling of being bad. But.. was he bad?

Bam. Another kick to the side, but now it was his wounded side. Ivan let out a short scream, soon to be stifled as a fist crashing against his face.

"Don't scream. No one cares, remember? You're the hated country. No one likes you. All you do is cause pain and make everyone's lives a living hell. Who would ever like you? Honestly. You're a monster. Monsters don't deserve to be fawned over and loved. You're a hideous beast who's damned into solitude."

A laugh came from whoever was talking as Ivan felt himself being jerked up by his front. Before he could catch a glimpse at who this person was, they flung him against the wall, causing him to gasp. This was punishment all over again. He was good though. He'd been good for the past days. Why was he being punished now? What had he done now? Would he ever experience the feeling of rest and relief?

Before he knew it, Ivan felt a wave of punches and kick make contact with his body. He raised his hands over his head to shield himself but it was no help. The person had the advantage here, and the Russian felt his energy and breathing slowly deteriorate. It didn't take long before he was merely sobbing on the floor as unbearable pain filled him.

"P-Please stop! Stop-!" Ivan cried out desperately. Why was this happening? He was doing good! He was being nice! He was showing love! He learnt from his mistakes! Wasn't that the right thing to do? If so, why was he receiving punishment yet again?

"You're begging! You are actually begging! I never would've thought you would be the one begging and I would be the strong one. How pathetic. You're not so big and tough now, huh? Do you see now? This is how you make people feel! This is what makes people hate you! This is what draws people to abandon you and leave you."

Ivan gasped for air as he felt a pair of hands pull him up by his now blood splattered collar. Red liquid dripped down his face and forehead, making it hard to see.

"Leaving you was the biggest risk I took, but the best decision I made."

With that statement, Ivan knew exactly who was talking. Who was punishing him. Who this was. Attempting to see through his bruised eyes and dripping blood, he squinted up. Just barely, he could make out the blurry image of a man with blonde hair and black rimmed glasses. The smell of computer polish could faintly be smelt. It was him.

"E-Estonia."

Author's Note:

Oh my, sorry if this was obvious. I was trying not to make it obvious but, of course, I never was one to be great at plot twists and surprise. Oh well XD

I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

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