Ch 8: Lying

"What's happening Euard?"

Turning away from the door and facing the youngest brother, Eduard muttered, "It's nothing Ravis…." He rubbed his temple, "Toris just took a beating…" The worry was hard to mask in the Estonian's blue eyes. Ivan could be heard coming back up the stairs.

"O-ok…" Ravis began to shake just at the sound of those ominous footsteps.

"Get under the bed. Quick." Eduard jumped back under his sheets as the younger slipped under the bed hoping to hide. Without knocking Ivan came in.

"Ravis, you're in charge of breakfast tomorrow." He turned to leave, voice suddenly colder than ice. "Don't be late." As soon as the door was shut, Eduard was on his knees looking fearfully at his brother. The younger appeared with wide eyes and sickly pale skin.

"He… knew…" Euard got up locking the door, not that it ever kept their master out. Coming back to his brother, the Estonian pulled Ravis into his lap and rubbed his back.

"It's ok Ravis… I'm not going anywhere, I'll protect you if Toris can't." They both knew it was a lie. Euard had never been any good at protecting Ravis. This was because he was such a recluse.

"Should… should we see if Toris is ok?"

Estonia started warily, like he did everything, "….if he's in the cellar…" He mulled over their chances of not getting caught and then shook his head. "I want to but it's a trap…"

"He would go check on us…"

"I don't want to leave you alone… and I don't want to drag you down there…" Worry spread across his face as he unlocked and cracked open the door. Their choice was made for them the instant Euard saw Ivan sitting in the hall with his pipe. It making a low clapping noise as it hit against its owners hand.

"What time is it? We could start breakfast if it's late enough" Ravis said, desperately grasping at straws.

"Three… two more hours before were allowed out."

"Alright…" Ravis went and curled up on the bed. "Should we sleep?" He winced as the pain hit his lower back again.

"You sleep. I'll stay up and stand guard." A slight nod and yawn was followed by the young Latvian laying his head on his brother's lap.

Half asleep, Ravis whispered "If Toris leaves… will, will you?"

"No. I'll stay here with you." Euard stroked his brother's hair, fingering the soft locks. "I'll stay with you until we're both free." This went unheard as the smaller boy fell deep asleep. Hours later Ivan stood next to the bed, looming over both of his toys. Estonia had failed to stay awake and was slumped in exhaustion.

"It's time to get up little one…" Ivan petted his new favorite's hair. Ravis groaned and squeezed his eyes shut, muttering for Toris to leave him alone. Ivan silenced the boy with a kiss. "Don't let breakfast be late Ravis." He walked slowly out, making sure that his servant awoke.

"Y-y-y-y-y-yes s-s-sir…" Eyes wide open and adrenaline made Ravis wide awake. A shiver ran down his spine as he heard their master head back downstairs. He practically jumped Euard, "Wake up… we have to go make breakfast." He decided not to mention who had woken him up, as Euard sat up with a guilty look.

"Oh Ravis… I'm sorry… I fell asleep…" He still looked tired.

"It's alright" A small smile touched Ravis' lips "Want to go down and find Toris?"

"Yes," He said as he stretched groaning, "let's go." Ravis led the way into the hall and down to the kitchen. After peeking into the kitchen they both realized that Ivan was not there, the basement door however, was open. Euard started in on breakfast making it look like they were only in the kitchen to work, and Ravis followed suit. They could hear groaning from the cellar.

Unable to move, all Toris could do was groan when he saw his 'Master' come down the stairs.

"What do you want, Ivan?" He snapped, all patience gone.

"To make sure you're ok." Ivan smiled sadistically and came closer to where Toris laid.

"I can't move, I'm going to be shoved into a box in this cellar," His voice caught in his throat now, eyes watering up "I'm going to be forced to listen to you torturing my broth-" Ivan stopped him with a gentle kiss.

"I can set your ankles" He stroked his Lithuanian's legs, and down.

Shuddering, Toris murmured, "Whether or not I agree you're going to do it…" He gasped as Ivan's hands began to play with his ankles. Not very gently, Ivan set them with a sickening snap.

"That's better, da?" He then wrapped them so they couldn't move. A moan of pain came from the Lithuanian from the rough treatment on his abused bones.

"Why Russia? Why do you do this?"

Childishly stroking Toris' hair, Ivan chuckled. "Well you wouldn't want the bone to heal the wrong way, would you?" He smiled threateningly then grabbed Toris by the root of his hair. "Breakfast will be ready soon… I'll bring it to you. Oh, and Toris… No telling your brothers what's going on."

"And if I tell them?"

"Their punishments will be worse."

"A-Alright… it'll be our little secret…" He turned his head away fear biting at the edge of his mind.

"Good… Maybe I'll set your wrists to. If you don't try to leave, that is."

Sarcasm dripped in his voice as he hissed through his teeth, "I'd rather have you set my back. Yesterday did upset it a bit... But whatever be your sadistic pleasure." Ivan's strong arms had lifted Toris partially as he spoke, and with a crack he had set his servant's spine. The act caught Toris off guard, causing him to yelp. Once again Toris was laid back down muttering a half-hearted thanks. Russia's hands wandered through Toris' hair and shoulders, roughly stroking bruises as a quiet knock reached both sets of ears. The door cracked open revealing Euard's face.

"Breakfast is ready sir..."

"Da." Ivan stood looking at his servant who was smiling at his brother.

"Morning Euard…" The smile was more a grimace in pain.

"Morning… are you hungry?" As much as he wanted to, Euard didn't dare cross the door's threshold. Doing so with Russia standing there was physically asking to be hurt.

"Yes… but I don't think I'll be joining you at the table..."

"I'll have Ravis bring some down in a little bit. He's worried about you" Euard turned leaving the doorway just as Ivan walked though it. Toris' voice carried up the stairs directed at his master.

"I hope you realize this is enough punishment for the rest of our lives!"

Once Russia was seated Ravis went and served him, then his brother. "I-I'm taking th-h-his-s-ss to Tor-" Before he could finish, he was interrupted.

"Nyet. He can wait." He motioned for Ravis to take the chair next to him, "Sit and eat." Ravis glanced nervously at his brother who merely shrugged. Once everyone was sitting, Ivan began to eat, watching his servants. Both of them were eating slowly, hoping Ivan and his dark aura would leave. "Split Toris' chores between yourselves." With that, Ivan stood to leave.

"Should we give him his breakfast now?"

"Da. I'll be out most of the day…" A cold glint was in his eyes causing both Baltics to shiver. Euard nodded shepherding Ravis as far away from Ivan as he could.

"Going to the capital?"

"Da, an issue needs to be dealt with." He walked out koling to himself. As soon as the Russian was gone, the boys ran to the cellar to check on their eldest brother. Ravis went down first, half whispering his brother's name.

"Ravis! You know you shouldn't be down here… What if Ivan catches you?"

"He's gone to the capital for a while…" Euard was just behind Ravis carrying a plate of food. "We were told to do your chores and to feed you."

Toris sighed softly "Are you alright? Did he do anything to you?" Ravis simply hugged his brother and shook his head no. Relief washed through Toris' tired, aching muscles and a genuine smile peeked through.

"What did he do to you…" Euard immediately began working trying to make it as painless as possible.

"He didn't want me to leave…"

"Of course not, he'd lose a big part of the USSR."

Ravis sat down feeding Toris as he and Euard spoke. "It'll fall" Toris mumbled "The capital is almost in ruins… Stalin is sick."

"That doesn't stop him from wanting to hold on… very tightly."

"I know…" Lithuania looked quietly at both of his brothers. "Be careful… Ravis, try and clean areas with a good escape route just in case he comes back…"

"Why does he do this to us Toris…" Ravis looked close to tears.

"We all signed a contract… I wish we never had, but we sold our souls for protection…" As they left, Toris grabbed Euard's arm. "Keep Ravis safe…" Euard nodded, and left his brother going back up to the well lit kitchen. Ravis was humming quietly, mood picked up after seeing Toris. Euard chucked and ruffled the youngest's hair.

"I'll be dusting in the foyer… take the back of the house?"

"Sure," A small, sad smile graced Ravis' lips. "Will Toris be ok?"

"Yes… if Ivan doesn't beat him anymore…"

Privet all of my loyal people. I feel so bad about how long this took to post…I am sooooooo sorry! *Crys for forgiveness but maybe this will make up for it…

Thank you OMEGA! For editing it^^