Chapter 11:
Final Innocence

A/N: special thanks to NekoFye for the idea and just how awesome you've been! And a long chapter as my gift to you all for putting up with a long absence :)

I looked down at the paper in Latvia's hand... I couldn't believe my eyes... "I...y...Luddy..." My eyes filled with tears that I didn't even try to keep back...

"He managed to sneak it to me..." The boy trembled.

I nodded. "Danke schon Latvia..." I smiled taking the paper nervously. I unfolded it like it was made of gold leaf, and to me it was worth far more than that... I looked down and read the first words...

'Ich leibe dich, Bruder...'

I fell to my knees sobbing. I even struggled to keep reading...

'I miss you. I think about you a lot. Life isn't easy since no one trusts me, but I'll make it. How are you? I'm worried about you... Austria is well. He misses you too, as does Hungary. She cried for you... I've cried for you too... Gilbird misses you too. He's doing well though. He sleeps on your pillow... As you know some of your people are escaping over the wall... I'm taking good care of them I promise. Though... None of them have seen you... Are you ok? Your country looks so bleak and sad from what little I can see... Are you hurt? Please... Please tell me he doesn't hurt you... That he treats you well... Right? I miss you... I miss you so much... Ich leibe dich mine Bruder... Forever.'

I could hardly read the last sentences from how much I cried. I sobbed until my tears were dry and my throat burned. Then I looked up. Latvia was still there, watching me kindly... He took my hand and gave me a gentle boyish hug...

"Don't tell Russia...?"

I nodded. "Never."

I heard the door and I went pale...

"No need to tell me. I know." That sweet voice... So... Creepy...

I looked up at him shaking almost as much as Latvia.

"GDR, you know that's against the rules, so do you Latvia. How foolish of you both. Latvia... You shouldn't have done that. I have to punish you for it you know..."

I stood between Latvia and Russia with a growl. "Don't you dare..." I snarled.

"It has to be done. We all know that."

"Then punish me!"

"Nyet. That wouldn't be just would it?" He grabbed Latvia's arm and I fought back for the little blond...

Russia beat me down easily with a few strikes to the shoulders and chest with his pipe... I fell to the ground in pain, biting my lip and looking back up at Latvia as Russia pulled off the boy's jacket. I was in too much pain to stand, I just had to sit there helplessly... I hate being helpless...

"Russia don't! Stop please!" I sobbed. "Please!" I couldn't watch him hurt Latvia... No no no...

Russia called in some of his guards to drag me along as he carried Latvia, who was trembling and crying and breaking me more than Russia's beatings ever could...

"Russia don't..." I begged.

Latvia looked back at me, his eyes full of tears and pain... "Don't Gil... I'll be ok..."

"Nein! Russia Nein!" I knew he wouldn't listen...

Russia didn't even look back at me. He dragged Latvia to a small door and shoved him inside. Then he chained me to the door and walked away. I was alone with Latvia again. I whispered his name against the door...

"Gil... Gil please cover your ears..."

I felt my stomach drop... "W...why...?"

"B...because..." His voice was pained...

"Latvia...?" I bit my lip, trying to listen at the door. "Latvia!?"

There was silence... Then... Then I heard Latvia scream...

"Latvia!" I pounded on the door... "Latvia please what is it Latvia!? Russia stop this! Please stop this!" I sobbed.

"I...I'm ok...Gil..." Latvia managed to scream to me... "I'll be ok..."

I was sobbing to hard to reply. "Russia stop this! Please stop!"

After two more hours the screaming finally stopped... It scared me. When Russia unchained me I didn't even dare fight back... Then he opened the door. Latvia's unconscious body tumbled out and into my ready arms... I sobbed. His little body was covered in bloody red bites... I winced suddenly as I felt something bite me. I looked down at my hand... Bed bugs. Just bed bugs... I sobbed. "Russia let me take him back to my room...?" I whispered. "Please..."

Russia shook his head, lifting Latvia from my arms. "Nyet." He snapped.

The guards led me back to my own room and locked me in. I picked up Latvia's coat, which Russia had left on my floor. I hugged it and cried and cried and cried...

Russia walked into my cell about an hour later. I wrapped my arms arms around him, sobbing. He returned my hug.

"Sh...Sh..." He whispered. "Latvia will be just fine. It's painful but not serious. He'll be just fine..." He rubbed my back gently... comfortingly...and I clung to him.

"You understand now that you can't contact Germany? He'll just cause you trouble... He'll only hurt you and the others more. It's all right now. The punishment is over. It's all over now... Sh...Sh... Don't cry. I don't like tears you know."

That only made me cry harder as I clung, sobbing, to his coat.

"I know Latvia meant well but he doesn't understand. I'm not mad at him anymore GDR. It's all over now..." He held me and I held him back.

"R...Russia... Why are you here?" I trembled.

"To make sure you're ok." He smiled gently down at me, still rubbing my back...

I nodded, laying my head on his shoulder as he pet my hair... "Spasiba..." I whispered tremblingly.

Russia smiled and just held me as I clung to him, still crying, but crying more faintly now... He was right it was over. He'd done it. He'd won. I was broken... I was broken...

A/N: sadly I didn't come up with the bed bug torture. Soviet Russia did. :'( it was a real torture. *hugs Latvia*

I will write more soon as I'm back from my trip! It was awesome too! As always reviews are appreciated. :) *hugs*