"Kopenhagen. Kopenhagen."

I sigh and stand up and stretch, stepping out of the train. It's two-thirty in the morning, but I went to the Bahnhof and caught a ride to Denmark. I know I can talk to him before the next Meeting. Since the last one ended up in such chaos, a bunch of the Asian countries rescheduled and South Korea offered to host, resulting in the fact that in less than forty-eight hours the nations will reassemble in Seoul.

I knock on Denmark's door, bracing myself for the fact that he might hit me or bring out his Viking axe. Sure, we were friends... before...

After a couple of minutes, he answers the door, looking disgruntled. His hair is even messier than before, and he has the look in eyes of someone who has just woken up. (Well, um, because he has.)

"Sorry," I say. "I just... could I come in?" I ask in Danish to be courteous.

He nods, turning on the kitchen light. "Ya want some coffee?" At least we seem to be on okay terms with each other.

"So," he says, handing me a mug and taking a sip from his own, "Belarus is gonna bite you in the ass, huh. It's weird America didn't do anything, even though you and him and Russia were all together anyway, right?"

"Ja," I say. "But that's not what I wanted to talk about."

He runs a hand through his spiky blonde hair. "'Kay, what, then?"

"Um, you are coming to Seoul, right?" I verify. It's not common, but some nations do occasionally skip Meetings. It's like playing hooky - the teacher (cough, cough Germany) isn't happy, but you can do what you wish.

"Of course I am," he says, raising an eyebrow.

"Okay, good," I say, not even sure what I'm trying to ask. "What I mean, is, uh"-

"You want to die," the Scandinavian says suddenly.

"Den, what?" I laugh nervously.

He sits back in his chair, frowning. "Japan taught me how to read the air, y'know? What's wrong, Prussia, come on, tell me. We've been through a lot. You can tell me whatever's wrong. Ya don't have to beat around the bush."

"If you want to help me," I say, "come with me to Deutsch"- I catch my mistake - "Prussia, and, please, help me find someone."

"Excuse me, I have an announcement to make," I say. I can't hold it in anymore. I'm nervous, but from a couple seats down, Denmark throws me a thumbs-up.

South Korea trails off, looking at me. "Okay, Prussia, go on."

"I, uh, Stefan's my boss now," I blurt out.

A hundred pairs of eyes widen, and a couple of people shout objections. Yes, that's who Denmark helped me find. He wasn't at the bar. Apparently he instigated a fight and left the people in the bar to finish.

"Prussia-san, I don't understand your logic," Japan calls.

"Damn right he doesn't understand," Romano barks out. "Chaos is going to fall on all of us, bastard!"

"How could you?" Russia exclaims, standing up to look at me. I avoided him when we all got to the Meeting, because I basically abandoned him, Hungary, and America and left them in my house. When I left for Copenhagen, Russia was already asleep, so Hungary and America must have come home to a nearly empty house.

"I'm sorry," I say. "It was my only chance." But I know Russia won't get it.

I hope that if Stefan becomes my boss, he'll force me into war because he's greedy. The other countries will form an alliance against me, and I'll be dissolved. I'll die, and things will go back to normal. But if, on the other hand, things don't go as planned... I don't want to think about it.

Stefan was so surprised when I told him he could be my boss. Denmark wasn't exactly pleased, but he said he could tell I had the best intentions, even if they seemed strange, and he wouldn't question me. I am so thankful that idiotic Nordic is here.

Over the din, Hungary pulls me aside and we step into the hall. I can tell she's pissed about me ditching everyone, but that isn't her top priority at the moment.

"Why?" she asks.

"I have to go home," I say, and I know she knows what I mean.

"Where did you go last night?" she asks. I notice water collecting in her green eyes, and slowly the tears tremble and spill to her cheeks.

I sigh. "I went to Denmark. Then we came to Seoul. I'm sorry."

"Did you get my note?" she sniffles.

"Ja, I, uh, I did. And it, well, you"- I break off because Hungary grabs my shoulder and pulls my face down to hers. In one swift movement, she kisses me.

After she pulls away, I stare at her in shock. "Okay," she says. "Okay, Prussia. You idiot. I'm sorry everything had to turn out like this - with me, with you, with Russia and America and Belarus. But if you're going to die - I know you're trying to - you don't have much time left. Stefan is already starting the war declarations on Poland and Austria and France, your neighboring countries."

I know what this means.

"They don't know yet, but won't be long before they all find out," she says. Even though the tears are streaming steadily down her face, her voice is steady now. "It's not completely your fault. You just lit the fuse on the bomb everyone else spent decades creating. Do you understand?"

"Yes," I say. "I understand. When Austria and France and the like get Stefan's news..." We exchange a grim look.

Bruder, give me strength.

World War III has begun.

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A/N: Woah. I seriously didn't expect this chapter to turn out this way. Anyways, guys, we're reaching a conclusion here. Wh-hoo! This definitely isn't the last chapter, but we're almost there. And like usual, please review!

Translation Notes:

Kopenhagen - Copenhagen (German)

Bahnhof - [Train] Station (German)