Hey there! It's me again! Thank you to my new followers and an even bigger thank you to my old ones who helped me gain my confidence to write stories! I love each and every one of you, and I will always reply to your reviews, if I can! I've been going through a rough patch recently with things at home and at school which is why I haven't been posting as often as I would have liked, but waking up in the morning with a review or a follow always seems to brighten things up for me ^_^ I'll let you read now…
The figure in the doorway stepped into the room. As the light hit his face, I could see it was Ivan. It was fair to say that he looked rather frightening with his sweet smile that seemed to sinister on his face. I held my ground, so to speak, and just stared back at him. I wasn't going to let him punish poor Ravis for anything! The boy was so fragile and delicate!
"Privyet." He walked towards the bed. I eyed him warningly as I felt the little boy quiver in fear. Toris looked worse for wear in front of the Russian too. He'd suddenly gone pale, and I was sure I could see him shaking slightly. Eduard must have left, knowing that Ivan was on his way. It occurred to me that he always seemed very good at getting himself out of trouble, but he didn't really help the other two. It was obvious that he cared, but he wasn't willing to step in and help them for some reason…
"I-I'm sorry, Mr. Russia! I didn't mean to!" he wailed, fisting my shirt in his hands. It really was rather painful having him in my lap, but I didn't have the heart to shake him off. I never used to be so soft. Whatever happened to not caring or being rebellious? I was acting far too motherly for my own liking. I blamed it on hormones.
The Russian smiled a smile that wasn't forgiving, or kind. His smile was sinister and said "I'm going to kill you, slowly" I felt a chill run down my spine. Ivan didn't like me. He'd had a grudge against me for as long as I could remember.
"Ah! Latvia, I wanted to talk to you." He said, sweetly. Somehow, the sweeter he acted, the more ominous the feeling in the room became. Ravis clung to me tightly, not wanting to let go "Why don't we have a talk outside?" he asked pleasantly. The Latvian dug his face into my chest, his tears soaking through the hospital gown. I could see the Lithuanian fretting about his friend, but not knowing what to do. I wasn't sure why he went back to working for the Russian after spending so much time with Alfred, but I wasn't going to pry into Toris's personal affairs.
"W-what's wrong, Mr Russia, Sir?" The Lithuanian asked after a few moments of silence, broken only by Ravis's sobs. I rubbed circles into his back, trying to sooth him.
"Latvia knows, da?" He said, making everyone feel very uncomfortable "He saw something he shouldn't have; now I want to talk to him." He said, without a trace of anger on his face, or on his voice. That's what made it so disturbing. Toris looked at me with scared eyes, but I wasn't in a position to do much.
"He's visiting me at the moment." I stated "I'm sure whatever he did was an accident, so can you save this for another time?" I added with as much authority as I could muster.
He shook his head "I'm sorry Britain, I need to speak with him now, da?" he said, drawing his pipe. Normally, I would have been slightly more intimidating, or would have been able to help the boy hide, but there was little chance of my being able to do that. I could hardly move as it was.
"Can't you see he's busy?" I asked, coming close to the end of my tether with the Russian. I petted the boy's scruffy hair, glaring at Ivan "Why don't you speak with him later?" I reasoned.
"No. I will speak with him now, da?" he said, pulling the boy from my lap. Ravis struggled, trying to cling for dear life and stay attached to me, but the Russian was too strong for him, and he was plucked away without any effort on Ivan's part. Before I knew it, he'd led the boy outside, pushing him by the top of his head.
I looked to Toris, but he just shrugged and told me that Russia just scared him. I was sure that there was something going on, and perhaps he was scared that the Russian would overhear the conversation and punish him too "S-so, what… what was wrong with you?" he asked, looking very nervous indeed.
"Well, I'm in an awful lot of pain because of change occurring in my hips. I recently found myself with child, and my body needs to prepare for the later months." I told him bluntly, bored of explaining it to every single person who came into the room. He just stared at me, looking shocked and a little scared.
"I-I'm so sorry! Ravis m-must have hurt you!" he exclaimed, suddenly looking very guilty "Eduard and I should have kept a better eye on him, but Feliks…" he stopped talking, his face turning a dark shade of red.
"It's fine, really." I told him, trying not to scoff at his embarrassment. This made me think. Toris was probably with Feliks by the sounds of things, so why did he go back to Ivan? Surely he had no reason to return. Perhaps Ivan had forced him into it, or maybe he missed Eduard and Ravis. I wasn't sure, but it seemed as if I was suddenly far more involved with everyone else now. Suddenly everyone was talking to me, and I was hearing about people's lives outside meetings and lessons.
"No, we're really sorry! He doesn't think!" he said, quaking in fear. I shook my head, sighing.
"Don't worry about it. He's young. Alfred did plenty worse…" I said, wincing as I tried to sit up a little better. I figured that because he was so scared of Russia, it was probably because Russia was doing something…
I'd never seen any injuries on any of them, except for the fact that Ravis was so short, probably because of the Russian crushing his spine. It wasn't really my business. I had no real ties with them, except for Peter's friendship with the Latvian. I felt a little possessive of little Ravis since finding out. Peter didn't have any other friends.
"You should go… Make sure Ravis is okay, and I'm sure Feliks is missing you." I said, hiding a smirk when he blushed. I wasn't sure why anyone would like the blonde irritating nation, but I couldn't talk. Francis was annoying too…
Toris nodded and left, rushing out of the room; probably glad of an excuse to leave. I hoped Ravis was okay, but there was very little I could do, considering my own situation. I doubted he would go to Ravis's aid; he seemed all too willing to get away from Ivan in whatever way he could, and I didn't really blame him all that much. I would have helped the boy, but he wasn't nearly as strong as me, nor was he confidant enough to confront the Russian. He and I weren't very similar at all, except for our old military clothes from the war. We almost matched, except for my shoulder strap.
A nurse came in briefly to tell me that visiting hours were over, and that my guests needed to go home, but I could have one person stay in the room if I wanted. Obviously, I chose for Francis to stay in the room with me.
"Bonjour!" he said excitedly as he came and sat beside the bed "Are you feeling better, Mon Cher?" he asked. I nodded, putting on a slight smile, not wanting to worry him any-more than was really needed.
"Don't think I wanted you here; I only chose for you to stay because I knew how much you'd whine if I didn't" I said sharply, so he didn't think that he'd won, or anything. He was used to this by now and just brushed it off with an airy laugh and a kiss on the cheek"
"I know you wanted me here." He whispered in my ear, making me scoff.
"Want you here!? How ridiculous! I only said you could stay here because you'd get upset if I didn't!" I protested, knowing I was lying. I was just scared of being weak. Somehow being nice was like surrendering, and I didn't want him, or anyone, seeing my weaknesses. I didn't want him to feel secure because I didn't. I knew it was selfish, but it felt like he was going to leave at any minute. My rational mind told me he wouldn't, but I wouldn't let myself open up to him. I couldn't let myself.
He just laughed again, stroking the hair out of my face "Jet'aime, Angleterre. I would do anything for you. How are you feeling?" he asked, helping me out of the bed. The doctor had told me to try to move about a little, but I couldn't do that with guests. I only allowed Francis to help me because I did need someone to help, and he seemed to be the most trustworthy not to let me fall.
I winced as I moved, but the pain wasn't unbearable, so I pushed off of the bed to stand. I gripped his hands hard, alleviating some of the pressure from my hips. I gritted my teeth and took some small steps, trying to block out the sharp pain as best as I could. I didn't look at him, feeling ashamed at my weakness.
I didn't want to see him face. He'd never seen me like this before. He'd never seen me so defenceless; helpless. The only time that was similar was when he almost drowned me, and I made sure to shout at him enough to get across that I didn't do water. I leant heavily on him, trying to increase my stride, grunting in exertion.
"Be careful, Angleterre, the doctor didn't tell you to push yourself." He said, sounding concerned. I tried to stop my breath hitching in pain, and breathe deeply, but it seemed set on being shaky and pathetic sounding.
"I'm-fine!" I gasped through gritted teeth, feeling as if my pelvis had been shattered into pieces. I went through the pain, believing that was how I was going to become stronger. It was like training. I needed to work through the pain and get the work done. The bones weren't broken. The pain was from the muscles and ligaments and the strain, as well as the bones, as one's bones do not naturally grow that quickly.
A despairing sigh showed his disagreement with my statement.
After walking from the bed to the window and gazing out it for a while, I needed something to lean on, so I decided to lean on the windowsill and watch the autumn leaves falling from the trees, Francis helped me back into bed. It was clouded over outside, but that was normal. I was used to drizzly weather, but it made my bones ache more than usual which irritated me.
As I sat back in bed, I stared at my hands, not wanting to look him in the eye, knowing what he'd say. He'd tell me I shouldn't have pushed myself so hard, and that he was worried. I knew what he was thinking.
"Angleterre…" he said, making me face him. His hand guided my face to look at his. I bit the inside of my cheek trying to keep myself from breaking down. His face was serious, and I didn't like how it looked, especially when it was looking at me. I felt guilty and like I'd upset him… then again, I had upset him.
"Don't you tell me what to do, Frog!" I told him, looking away slightly.
"Non… I just… I'm sorry… all of this is my fault." He said quietly. I blinked, not believing what he just said. It was his fault? But I didn't object! It wasn't him that made it possible! It was Tinkerbelle! I just stared at him, not knowing what to say "If I hadn't forced you into it… none of this-"
I stopped him "Don't blame yourself… idiot! I didn't exactly stop you, did I!?" I said, then remembering how I had tried to get away from his advances at first. I didn't know what to say "It's… it's not a bad thing! A child is a wonderful thing! Countries aren't even supposed to have them!" I told him, wanting to stop him from looking so bad. I hated how he looked when he was upset like this and not just panicking over his popularity.
He sighed and stayed quiet for a moment, before asking me "What names do you like?" and stroking my stomach which wasn't really showing all that much. I could tell, but it was only very slightly.
"To be honest, I haven't thought much about it… How about Elizabeth for a girl?" I asked. I loved queen Lizzy "Or Edward for a boy?" I suggested, liking the name.
"I like Louis… or Marie?" he said, I was sure he just told me two girls' names, but I didn't feel like picking holes in his girlish culture.
At that moment, I heard footsteps walking through the door. I looked up and saw that it was my boss. I felt my stomach drop and my heart spring into my chest. There Francis and I were, discussing names for a child my boss would prefer dead. Francis was stroking my stomach and hand an arm around my shoulders. I was sure the sight would have been sickening for my boss to walk in on.
After a moment, Francis looked up, noticing my diverted attention. He didn't move away under the disapproving glare my boss gave him or my sudden awkwardness at the situation. I hated the feeling that I'd done something wrong, and that everyone was probably thinking it. I knew in my mind that even if they didn't outwardly show it, they disapproved; they thought it was wrong, or that it was my fault. Outwardly, I was only 16. On the inside, or technically speaking, my age was in quadruple digits, so surely I was capable of bringing up a child. Outward appearances mean a lot though, and I've always been short for someone of my age, so I looked even younger.
I cleared my throat awkwardly "Did you want something?" I asked bluntly "The visiting hours are over." I tried my best to sound authoritative, but I was still in pain, so my voice was a little weaker than I had hoped it would be, and it sounded a little less dignified than I had hoped.
"I am your boss. There doesn't need to be a reason." He told me. I could tell that he was trying to crush any confidence that I had, but I wasn't going to let him. He could be as belittling as he liked, and it wasn't going to get him anywhere "I didn't want to visit with the other entire rabble." He told me. He was trying to make himself sound important and special again. He may not have been a country, but at the rate he was going, it seemed as if he believed himself to be above us. It was a preposterous idea, considering how many different bosses we got through in our lifetime. I missed the days when the monarchy had more power…
"So, did you want something?" I asked, hoping that he hadn't visited just to belittle me and tell me how much more important he was, or just make things awkward for me.
"I wanted to check on your condition. When will you be discharged?" he asked, sounding tired and irritated.
"Well, the doctor isn't sure…" I said, realizing that I had no idea how long I was going to be stuck in this god-forsaken building.
"Great… I have a meeting with your boyfriend's boss thanks to you two… He wants to make a treaty and merge you two as countries…" he definitely did not sound happy about that. My boss hated Francis and his boss. I wasn't fussed on Francis's boss, but he'd been very accepting, so I liked him a little more than I liked him.
"Merge?" Francis asked.
"Yeah, we'll still be separate people, but our bosses will have to work together to govern our countries together." I said smirking. I repeated the word together just to irk my boss. He really hated Francis's boss; so much it was funny. I could imagine them in the same office, arguing and trying to run things. Francis's boss would probably slack off most of the time, leaving it all to my boss. The idea was hilarious! Apparently Francis thought so too, because he, like me, was suppressing a giggle.
My boss frowned "I don't think you understand. A merger like this means Britain will have to start using the euro. Do you really want that!" he exclaimed. He had a point there. I hated the euro. The union always tried to talk me into it, but I always declined their offers, seeing how it was losing value, what with Greece's money problems and Italy's too. I did feel a little sorry for Germany, as he had to keep bailing them out.
Italy was odd. He knew his economy was bad, and so did his boss, but he did very little about it. During an EU meeting, he and his boss, the two people who the meeting was about, fell asleep while we were discussing ways to help save his economy from collapse. My boss wasn't great with money, and he did spend too much in places it wasn't needed and not spend enough in others, and Francis's wasn't any better, but at least we cared about our country's finances more than the Italian.
"Or maybe, this could be the opportunity France needs to get out of it." I said, not wanting to have to use a doomed currency.
"Do you really think that would be allowed!?" my boss argued back. I knew that most of what he was saying was bias, because of his not wanting to merge with France. I wasn't
"I'm sure that it could be arranged. I will most certainly not be using the euro. No offence…" As much as I detested the euro, I didn't want to insult Francis too much. He'd been good to me. My boss grumbled but couldn't think of anything else to say.
"Well, I've done what I needed to do." He said stiffly "I'll be leaving now." He said, turning on his heel and leaving the room. Francis and I stayed in silence for a few minutes, not knowing what to say.
"I think you should try to sleep now." Francis said, stroking my hair "You look tired, Angleterre." I wasn't sure whether I should have been insulted, but I just decided that he was right and lay back down. I didn't like sleeping on my back much, but I had no choice. After a while I drifted off to sleep.
Finally! Sorry that chapter took so long! I've been really busy recently! ^_^; I've also had just a little bit of writer's block for this story, so I'd really appreciate any suggestions you have! I'd love to know what you want to happen next!
Question time!
What will happen to Latvia!?
What's going on with Russia and the Baltics?
Will Artie's boss ever be nice to Francis and get over his dislike of the French?
Names! I NEED NAMES! I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT TO CALL THE CHILD!
Does anyone else care much for the politics in this story, or is it just me? (I don't even know why politics interest me… they just do…)