Dear Reader,

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I hope you enjoy it!

Initially, I would like to say that I am honored that so many people are enjoying this;

so far this one story has over 4,000 views, and more than 130 reviews, and it was published only a few months ago. Thank you all so much for following it, favoriting it, and reviewing it so that I know what you all think of it and so that I know that you are actually reading it! Thank you all!

Speaking of which, I give thanks to The Scheming Turtle for being my beta-reader.

~+~ The pioneer with a heart for people and a thousand stories to tell ~+~

Chapter 17

The first duty of love is to listen

~ Paul Tillich

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As the days passed, Belarus knew that there was tension between her and Lithuania. Although Lithuania was still kind to her, she felt as if there was a wall between them. No, not a wall, a vast chasm of unmet desire, a net of denied passions ensnaring them both. Lithuania felt it as well, but although his heart still ached that his dear wife didn't return his feelings, he was still determined to woo her, and continued to be utterly gentle to her every day, which constantly both comforted and condemned Belarus as the days passed.

One day, Lithuania was sitting in the living room, reading a book of poems. Birds were chirping outside of the window nearby, which filled the room with a pleasant, peaceful sound. While Lithuania was quietly reading, Belarus was in the bedroom, organizing some things in her drawers. At length, she wondered what Lithuania was doing, and left the room. She carefully stepped down the worn wood stairs, listening to them creak and groan as she left each one behind. Seeing Lithuania wasn't in the study, she traveled down the hall, inspecting the rooms as she passed by them. As she walked, she noted yet again how bare the walls were. They had a simple coat of paint, but other than that, they weren't very decorated. This reminded her that Lithuania wasn't the wealthiest nation in the world.

Lithuania has been so wonderful to me... he deserves to have the nicest house in the world. I know! I should make something to put on his walls... hmm... what to make... She pondered to herself. As she thought, her inner conversation slowly became more and more convicting. I don't really know what to make for him, though. I'm not an artist or anything... I owe him so much for all his gentleness, though... I never deserved his love, yet he always gave it to me... oh, Lithuania, forgive me for being so hard-hearted to you for all those centuries! I still can't believe he's loved me all this time... and now, here I am, his wife... and I can't even bring myself to sleep with him. What kind of wife isn't attracted to her husband as he is to her? Oh... it's tearing him apart, I just know it... I suppose I shouldn't be too hard on myself, though... after all, I absolutely hated him for years, so... I shouldn't be too angry at myself for not loving him the way he loves me. Yes, I do care for him, but... not in the way he wants... he wants me... and I don't know if I want to give myself to him. I should, though-he deserves me, and all of me. He really does, after all I have done to him... yet... he doesn't want that. He wants my heart as well as my physical self... oh, I would give him my heart... if I knew how... if I only knew how... but what can I do? If I don't love him like that, is it really my fault? Oh... poor Toris... he has to love a woman that doesn't return his feelings... well... she does, but... not really... Sometimes, I am not even sure what to think of him... sometimes I don't even know how I feel for him... do I love him? A little, yes... but... he wants to be desperately loved, not... somewhat loved, not cared for, not appreciated... he is Romeo, waiting for Juliet to come to him... Enough of this! This is getting me no where! I set out to look for Lithuania and I end up condemning myself! Now... back to what I was doing earlier... where is he, anyway?

Eventually, Belarus spotted her husband. Quietly she entered the living room, and found Lithuania reading a book.

Hearing her enter, Lithuania looked up and smiled at her lovingly. Even his smile tells me how much he loves me... oh, what kind of woman am I to not return his feelings? Belarus chided herself silently.

"What are you reading?" She inquired.

"Oh, a book of various poems," Lithuania enlightened her while holding up the book for her to see.

It seems that he is always reading something... I think I should listen-maybe it will help me love him. Belarus decided. "Would you mind... reading some to me?" She asked out loud.

Surprised and excited that his wife was actually interested in what he was reading, Lithuania straightened and answered, "Oh, I wouldn't mind at all! Please, sit down!"

With that, he indicated the couch nearby eagerly. Belarus reclined on the couch, and listened as Lithuania began reading the poetry to her. As she heard the poems, Belarus realized that many of the romantic ones reminded her of Lithuania, which made her feel guilty for not returning his feelings. All the while, Lithuania continued to read, glad that the woman he loved was willing to spend some time with him.

Soon, the sun had set, and the stars came out, and Lithuania was still reading to Belarus. Eventually Lithuania noticed how late it was, and asked Belarus if she wanted to keep listening.

"I suppose we should go to bed now," She answered. Lithuania nodded and closed the book. He arose from his chair, stepped over to his antique bookshelf, and gently placed the book back in its place. Belarus watched as Lithuania did this, and wondered what he would do if he lost all of his books. She pushed the random thought out of her mind as she considered whether he would be willing to watch the sunrise with her tomorrow.

"Toris, " She questioned, "Do you want to watch the sunrise tomorrow?"

Puzzled by the question, Lithuania turned back to her and responded, "Don't we always do that?"

"Well, yes, but... we've stayed up rather late this time..." She rejoined quietly.

With a calm smile, Lithuania replied, "It's not too late-I would love to watch the sunrise with you again."

For some reason, that made Belarus' heart flutter, and she grinned at him happily. The next day they did watch the sunrise, and the bright rays of the dawn consoled Belarus, giving her hope that one day soon that invisible chasm between her and Lithuania would be gone.