I think I redeemed myself at least a little bit with chapter 9, since people liked it and I got more favorites and follows, for which I am always grateful for. So thank you. I don't own Hetalia, pop culture, ect.
"Stop it Pierre! I cannot breathe!" Sasha playfully scolds as she laughs. Pierre smiles sweetly.
"Your smile is too lovely to stay hidden, Sasha." he replies.
"Yuri is right. You are such a shameless flatterer!" she exclaims.
"Oui. But I can only speak the truth, you see." She blushes.
"Tak? Well then, tell me. What is true?" the Ukrainian asks, her smile absolutely radiant. It has to be her best feature, really because Pierre alway paid special attention the other person's smile. It's his favorite feature on a woman. He has seen some rather lovely smiles in his lifetime, but there is something particularly stunning about Sasha's.
"Your must have the most beautiful smile I have ever seen, as I have said before." he answers, unable to look away. She blushes furiously and averts her eyes.
"Thank you. No one really tells me those things aside from my family."
"How can one not tell you? It must be because they covet such beauty-"
"Dy, her smile is very pretty Pierre." Yuri interrupts venomously, appearing out of nowhere with Dmitri and Stanley, both looking rather embarrassed and irritated.
"Merde." Pierre mutters under his breath, feeling the heat drain from his face. He looks up, ready to explain that he is not some bastard trying seduce Sasha, and gasps.
"What happened?!" Sasha cries out, jumping to her feet as soon as she see Stan and Yuri's wounds. Tears spill from her eyes. "This is all my fault!" she sobs.
"No Sasha, it's not your fault! We're fine!" Stanley interjects frantically. Pierre gives his shoulders a firm shake.
"Fine!? How can you say that?! Look at your shirt!" he scolds, pointing at the blood seeped into the fabric.
"It just looks bad! I don't think it even needs stitches!"
"What is going on over there?!" Mary shouts. Everyone looks over to see what the commotion is about.
"Everyone to the sleeping car." Dmitri announces. Eva hurries over.
"Verdammt." she mutters. "Listen to Dmitri! We are holding an emergency meeting now!"
/
"How did this happen, Stan-kun?" Akiko asks as she cleans the cut and places a bandage over it. He sighs.
"Some psycho cheerleader attacked me and would have cut me to ribbons if D and Yuri didn't show up when they did."
"We're going to need a better explanation than that, you git!" Mary shouts, her voice cracking a bit. "You could have ended up trapped where our parents are! Or worse! Why didn't you call for us!?" Stanley chuckles nervously.
"Sorry about that. But that girl was dangerous. What if a human came by? She would have killed them for the fun of it!" Mary bites her bottom lip, frustrated.
"Bloody wanker." she murmurs. Jason carefully places his cousin's ruined shirt into a plastic bag.
"Well, I don't think she's coming back anytime soon. Stan will heal up in a day or two and Yuri apparently did a lot more damage to her than what she did to them." He sighs. "But in all seriousness Stan, you need to stop trying to handle these things by yourself. I swear, you and Uncle Al never use common sense when you need it." The American laughs and rubs the back of his head.
"Yeah, it's kind of genetic." The Canadian groans and digs out a Batman t-shirt and tosses it to Stanley, who thanks him and puts it. He then inspects his bomber jacket for any bloodstains and tears. Seeing none, he smiles with relief and slip it on. Jason then turns to Dmitri.
"Are you okay D? You looked a little shaken up earlier."
"She wants to tear out my eyes and keep them. To her, they are my only attractive feature." The Russian says in a matter-of-fact tone. "I have heard many threats directed towards me. That does not mean I enjoy hearing them." Sasha sniffles as she places a bandage on Yuri's cheek.
"I am so sorry Yuri. I should have been there." she whispers. Yuri lets out a sigh and takes his eldest cousin's hand.
"It is nothing Sasha. Please do not blame yourself." he says softly. She bursts into tears and hugs him tightly.
"You are so kind Yurochka! I just try so hard to be a good big cousin for you and Dima!" she sobs. Second time Yuri's been called that. Now Stan must ask.
"Yurochka?" The Belarusian frowns.
"Ah, that is what we called him when he was a child!" Sasha replies, smiling and wiping her tears away. "Malenʹka Yurochka!"
"Oh da!" Dmitri adds with a big smile, nostalgia washing over him. "It is such a sweet nickname! Much better than Yura! You were such a cute child back then Yuri!"
"Sasha, Dima…" Yuri growls, hiding his red face. Dear Lord, that damned American just had to say something...
"Aww! That is so cute!" Giovanni says cheerfully. Yuri sends the Italian a death glare.
"Do not encourage this!" he snarls. Giovanni lets out a short scream and huddles next Eva, who pinches the bridge of her nose.
"Yuri, please do not shout at Giovanni. It is not that bad." Dmitri sighs.
"Daruj mianie." Yuri says, still irate and embarrassed. Giovanni forces a smile, still frightened by Yuri's temper. Eva walks over to the window and rest her forehead against the cool glass.
"They already know about us. Enough to send someone." She mutters. She then turns to face the rest of the group. "We should lay low for about two or three days once we arrive to Berlin. To see if we can throw them off."
"But what of our parents? They could be suffering as we speak! Look at what happened to Stan and Yuri! Think about what she had said to Dmitri! And this is a human we are talking about! A human child!" Pierre interjects.
"Do you think I am not aware that?! Do you really believe that I can sleep well knowing that Papi is in danger!?" Eva shoots, her ice blue eyes hardening. "If we are captured, what happens then? Who will come for us?" She scans the room, waiting for a response. When she doesn't get one, she continues, more calmly. "This is difficult for all of us. I understand that. But we must remember that if we are ruled by our emotions alone, neither us nor our parents stand a chance."
"The crazy German girl is right." Yuri speaks up, running a frustrated hand through his hair.
"Danke. And I still resent that." The Belarusian only shrugs, and Eva rolls her eyes.
"Eva?" She turns to Giovanni. He places a comforting hand on shoulder. "Are you okay?"
"Nein." she admits, looking out the window again, crossing her arms. "I may have grossly underestimated this W.L.L. Sending children to do their dirty work." She takes a deep breath. "Two more hours until we are in Berlin, Papi." she whispers to herself.
Ich habe dich lieb. All of your parents love you…
"Papi…" A single tear slips down her cheek. She makes no effort to wipe it away.
Berlin
"I can't fathom how anyone can smoke half a pack of cigarettes within thirty minutes!" Mary mutters as the groups waits outside while Sasha buys more for her and her cousins.
"We went eight hours without them." Dmitri pouts. "It becomes insufferable! And that madwoman..."
"It's a disgusting habit." Yuri arches an eyebrow.
"I recall before the Iron Curtain that you did the same." he replies.
"Well, I-I don't smoke anymore!"
"Can we please not fight over this right now?" Jason asks as locals give them strange looks.
"People are fighting?!" Sasha cries out, the bag in her hands.
"Nyet Sasha. Thank you very much." Dmitri answers with a smile. The Ukrainian smiles back.
"Anything for the two of you, Dima!" Eva checks the time on her phone.
"We need to hurry to the hostel now. It is getting late." She looks up and pales. "Everyone, over here!" Panicked, the teens rush over to the other side of the building.
"What is it!?" Stan takes a peek and groans when he sees a loud, familiar albino. "Aw man.."
"It looks like we will have take another way. Everyone, keep your heads down." She points at Dmitri. "Especially you!"
"What?! I never did anything to him after World War II! He was the one who always went out of his way to make Papa and Tetya Natalya mad!" the Russian cries out.
"Tell me how many tall, green-haired, violet-eyed Russians with red scarves live in Germany then, Dmitri!" Eva hisses back.
"Guys, shut up!" Stanley whispers loudly. Carefully, he looks around the corner again. "Okay, he's got his back turned. Let's go!" The Capitals make a run for it. Gilbert looks around, perplexed.
"Are my awesome ears deceiving me, or did I just hear something?"
/
"Yeah, this isn't creepy at all." Stan mutters as the group enter the less-than-inviting hostel, complete with creaky floorboards, cobwebs on the ceiling, dull, chipped white wallpaper with a faded rose print and ancient bunk beds complete with worn, green wool blankets. And the fact that the room has a smell of decay completed the setting.
"This was the only one I could get in a short amount of time-MEIN GOTT, IT IS FILTHY IN HERE!" Eva snarls as she wipes a layer of dust off of the table with a handkerchief. "Is it too much to ask someone to clean this up a bit!? Disgusting! I should have known. They do not even have gender-segregated rooms! Unacceptable!" Giovanni shivers.
"I do not like this. It is just like in Stan's horror movies…"
"Ugh, don't remind me of that man. The worst part wasn't even in the movie. It was how pissed Ms. Prochazka and her brother Mr. Krejci were about it! It wasn't even Dad and I who made it, much less picking the locations!" He then thinks about it. "Well, it was actually shot in the Czech Republic, not in Slovakia. Maybe that's why he got really mad about it, especially since it did put his sister's country in sort of a bad light."
"I still do not think it was wise of you and your papa to tell her and Jaromil to 'chill out' instead of simply apologizing for the film offending them and explaining that it was not a personal attack against them and their culture." Dmitri comments as he takes off his jacket and sits down on a bottom bunk. "To be honest, it was not really as frightening as it was just mean-spirited and disgusting."
"Yeah, well, it scared me." Stanley grumbles as he climbs to the top of the same bunk bed. "I guess that wasn't cool of us, but they didn't have curse us out like they did! Have you ever been cursed out in Slovak? Or at least heard them do it? Because it's terrifying! When we finally translated it, I still can't believe half of those insults actually exist!"
"I remember that Ms. Prochazka did once to Ms. Héderváry, Papa and Eva's dyadya when she was drunk during Soviet times. It was not pleasant to say the least."
"Just don't mention anything about that movie if we run into any of them Stan. I know they forgave you guys enough to allow the director to make a sequel in her land, but I still don't think they're happy too about it." Jason interjects, taking Kumajiro out of his pet-carrier, who promptly makes himself comfortable on the worn pillow.
"Hey, I learned my lesson Jay!"
"Nothing of a foul nature is going to occur, I believe is the point to all of this." Yuri says as he lounges on the top bunk across from Stanley and Dmitri, wiping the last of Shirley's blood from his knife. "Right Pierre?"
"Oui, oui." Pierre answers tiredly. With a nod, Yuri then pulls out the dagger the insane henchwoman left behind and begins to polish it.
"Dude, you took that with you!?" Stanley gasps, sitting up. Yuri smiles darkly.
"Of course. I will use it to cut off that wench's head for the sake of poetry." he replies. "It is a fairly well made dagger as well." he comments as he lightly runs a finger across the blade, admiring how the light shines off of it. "Perhaps Mama and I will put on display in our living room. She will be thrilled. It is too bad that I cannot take the head as well." Stanley moans and pulls the blankets over his head.
"Well, I'm definitely going to have nightmares tonight. So thanks for that, man. Who needs to sleep anyway?" he mutters, the image of Shirley's head stuffed and mounted on a wall like that of a deer's permanently etched in his mind. Yuri chuckles. Dmitri looks up at him with an impressed smile.
"A plan already? You are quite a thinker Yuri."
"Dziakuj Dima."
"Do you mind changing the subject?" Mary asks. "I don't want to hear this."
"Oh, right." Dmitri whispers to himself. He stands up, throws his coat on and begins to leave the room.
"Where are you going Dima?" Sasha asks.
"I am just going out for some fresh air." he replies without so much as glancing back. Sasha frowns at the underlying tension she hears in his voice. At hearing the door shut, she stands and starts heading to the door as well, leaving most of the others in confusion.
"Did...something we do not know happen?" Mai asks.
"He's sad." Kumajiro pipes up. Yuri simply shrugs when eyes turn to him for an explanation. Akiko keeps quiet, not wanting to betray Dmitri's unspoken trust.
If Dmitri didn't tell them, then they will have to tolerate ignorance.
/
"Dima?" Sasha sees her younger cousin sitting on the concrete steps, a cigarette in his mouth, his lighter in one hand and a photograph in the other.
"Privyet Sasha." he mutters distantly. The Ukrainian takes a seat next to him and looks at the photograph sadly.
"I see." she whispers. "And the others…?"
"Akiko found out. But I do not think she will tell anyone. She is not of that sort."
"Not even Stanley?"
"Nyet." he says quietly as he flicks on the lighter. He glances between that and the photograph, but can't bring himself to do it. It was so much easier back then. Though he was physically and emotionally drained. Numb would be a good word for it. Alcohol had helped too Sighing in defeat, he lights his cigarette and sets the picture aside. Sasha takes one out from her pack and Dmitri lights it for her.
"Spasybi." she whispers as she takes a drag.
"What is the matter with me Sasha?" he asks. He feels strong, slender arms wrap around his shoulders and pull him close.
"You are a good man Dima. You made her happier than you may ever know." Sasha says sweetly. "Perhaps you could-"
"I cannot Sasha. I…" Dmitri stops, his words caught in his throat. He swallows and puffs on his cancer-stick. Sasha hugs him tightly.
"Tak. I understand. May I see your wallet and that photograph?" she asks. Dmitri does so and Sasha slips the photograph back in. She hands it back to him. "Just keep it for now. Let us go back inside. Your friends are worried."
"Da. Ah, Sasha?"
"Hm?"
"Is there something….between you and Pierre?' Sasha looks at Dmitri and bursts into laughter.
"Silly Dima! You should not be worrying about such things! Pierre and I are only friends!" she giggles, cheeks pink. Dmitri pouts childishly.
"I am only asking." he mutters. She takes his hand and pats it, still smiling.
"I am very lucky to have you and Yuri look after me. But you do not have to be concerned."
"Hey." Stan calls, knocking on the door. "Can I come out there?"
"Tak!" Stanley opens the door and pokes his head.
"We need back up. This is not a drill. I repeat, THIS IS NOT A DRILL!" Confused, they follow the American back inside and see everyone having a meltdown.
"LOOK AT THIS! THAT IS DISGUSTING!" Mary shrieks, pointing at the decaying bodies of three large rats that lay in a far corner of the room. "THE WANKERS TRIED TO HIDE THEM WITH THE BLOODY NIGHTSTAND!" Yuri sneers with contempt.
"The owners are plotting to spread the plague."
"WE ARE LEAVING!" Eva shouts as she packs her belongings. "I WILL HAVE THIS BUILDING SHUT DOWN!" Mai looks over to Mary miserably.
"Where are we going now?" she asks.
"I have no idea." she whispers. "I-I-" She then bursts into tears. Stanley, Pierre and Jason run over to comfort her.
"Aw, Mary, we'll be fine! We'll just find somewhere to crash." Stanley says with confidence, giving the Brit a tight hug as Kumajiro licks her cheek. "Seriously, this ain't nothin' compared to what we're gonna face."
"Wanker. Speak properly." Mary mutters.
"Come now." Eva says curtly, suitcase in hand. "Pack your things."
Author's Note-First of all, I am very sorry for the delay and that this chapter isn't the best (Constructive criticism is not an evil thing, so please don't hesitate). I've had a hideous case of writer's block and stuff has happened that was beyond anyone's control. But I believe I'm better now and thing can only get better. Thank you for your patience. If you still have that rock, my skull is here for the smashing.
Czech-Slovak-American-Movie-Fiasco: This bit was inspired by and based on the backlash and controversy of Eli Roth's horror-splatter film 'Hostel'. While filmed in the Czech Republic, the plot was in set in Slovakia, depicting a less than flattering picture of the country. I would think the nations themselves would be very offended when it first came out.
Also, Dmitri's little tale of drunken anger makes a bit of sense, being that Czechoslovakia at the time was under Soviet control and therefore resentful of Russia, Slovakia and Hungary not having the friendliest of history, and Prussia being, well, Prussia, and Slovakia possibly blaming him and Germany for their situation. (I like Gilbert, so don't get the wrong idea please.)
Oh, and the OCs that may or may not make an actual appearance:
Slovakia- Klaudia Prochazka
Bratislava- Jaromil Prochazka
Czech Republic- Havel Krejci
Prague- Izabela Krejci
Translations-
French:
Merde- Shit/Damn
Ukrainian:
Spasybi- Thank you
Malenʹka- Little
German:
Ich habe dich lieb- 'I love you' for family members
Mein Gott- My God
Danke- Thank you
Belarusian:
Daruj mianie- Forgive me
Dzaikuj- Thank you
Russian:
Dyadya- Uncle
Privyet- Hello