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PioneeringAuthor, the pioneer with a heart for people and a thousand stories to tell ~+~

Chapter 13

Some women love only what they can hold in their arms; others, only what they can't.

~Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotic's Notebook, 1966

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On the same day that Belarus discovered Lithuania's scars, Lithuania was sitting on a couch, reading a book. As a lover of literature, he enjoyed reading, and now he had some free time to do so. He reclined on the couch, gently flipping the pages as he read the story, which was one of his favorite adventure novels. He had no idea that Belarus knew about his scars, of course.

After some time, Belarus entered the room and found him reading. Interested in what he was doing, she asked, "What are you reading, Toris?"

Since the day her brother lectured her and she realized how deeply Lithuania loved her, she allowed him to call her by her human name and she also called him by his human name occasionally, especially when she wanted to get his attention. Hearing his human name, Lithuania stopped and turned to her.

"Oh, it's an adventure story, Natasha," He explained casually.

"What is it about?" Belarus probed as she sat beside him.

"Oh, I would love to tell you!" Lithuania piped up as he shifted in his seat so he could look at her better.

For the next twenty minutes, he told her all about what he was reading, the characters, the setting, everything he loved about it and more.

Although Belarus was truly listening to him, her mind continued to wander back to his scars. Partially, she wished to ask him how he got them, but she was afraid to ask such a question…. After all, he never told her about them, so perhaps she shouldn't bother asking. Eventually, she couldn't hold back her thoughts anymore, and a few minutes after Lithuania finished, she timidly asked, "Toris… how did you get your scars?"

Lithuania stiffened. How did she know?

"What scars?" He answered, hoping to change the subject.

"The ones on your back: earlier when you were changing your shirt I walked by and… there they were," Belarus elucidated, hoping that he wouldn't get upset.

Lithuania locked eyes with his wife and firmly replied, "It's none of your concern, Tasha."

She held his gaze and countered, "It is my concern because they are my husband's scars."

Lithuania's heart jumped at that last remark—she acknowledged him as her husband. He couldn't recall the last time she said that. Indeed, she acknowledged his surname as hers, but calling him husband was a much deeper sentiment. After a few seconds, he registered what she said.

He closed his book and replied, "I prefer to not talk about it."

He knew where he got his scars, but he didn't wish to tell her… at least, not now. Noticing what time it was, Lithuania suddenly realized that he had been reading for a great length, and felt thirsty.

As he stood up, he announced, "I'm going to get a drink."

With that, he kissed Belarus on her forehead and walked out of the room. She listened to his tone of voice as he spoke to her, and when he left, Belarus sat on the couch silently, contemplating his words.

While wondering why he did not confide in her, Belarus also pondered why he didn't kiss her like he used to do. Ever since that day in the kitchen when they shared a kiss, Lithuania had kissed her frequently… but ever since the day on the hill, when he left suddenly, he wasn't the same. He used to brush his lips against hers passionately like a desperate lover, but now he just… kissed her cheek or head, like a… sister or distant relative. Did she do something wrong?