Eva woke up, rubbing the back of her head, slowly remembering what happened. She turned to see the Lithuanian sleeping by her side. Oh yes, an earnest smile lit up her face. They did spend a lovely evening together. They even cuddled, he was so close… It felt good, so good, until… Until…
Belarus. That bitch Belarus again.
Slovakia believed that every being deserved to be respected, but when it came to Russia's little sister, all she could feel was pure, unbridled rage. All the humiliation and torture she had to endure as Natalia's maid flooded her mind, making her go so angry she remained lost for breath. And that fool loved her.
This is so wrong, she thought, trying to break free from his arms.
So why does it seem like the most genuine happiness I've felt in years?
Despite everything, Eva had to fight the urge to hug him closer, so close her worries would dissolve in the embrace. She would fall asleep again to wake up next to him in the morning and all the mornings to come.
Shitshitshitshit. This can't be.
She took a deep breath, then exhaled as unhurriedly as she could.
This can't be happening. I won't fall for him twice. This would be 1989 all over again.
Slovakia bit her lip, only relaxing her jaw when she realized she was bleeding.
My life is different now. I won't let that happen again.
She quickly got ready and left for the best direction she could think of.
"Eva," Toris muttered. Even though his head throbbed, his body was glowing. The memory of last night kept him warm.
He reached out for the said woman. She wasn't there.
Was it just a dream?
He opened his eyes. It was her house indeed, but the country was nowhere to be seen.
"Eva?" he ventured.
Nothing.
He looked at his watch. It's seven already, she must have left for work. Never mind, I'll catch up with her later.
He remembered the song that played as she slept in his arms and started to sing to himself, his heart overflowing with happiness.
Some words might bruise
Some people turn cold
And the river you cruise
S'not be the best way to go
Not the best way to go anymore
And what do you do?
What do you do?
In the middle of nothing, so scared and alone?
Turn around and swim, my darling
Let my love guide you back to shore
I'll be there standing, smiling, waiting
Arms open wide, forever yours.
He had always been waiting on that shore for her. For such a long time. And now, at last, there was hope she'd be joining him.
"Eva, turn that gay music down, I've got a splitting headache!" a voice yelled from one of the rooms in the back.
Of course, I forgot about that. I should probably leave before he wakes up and jumps to conclusions, decided Toris, taking his coat.
'Welcome to Ottawa International Airport', Slovakia read, her vision blurred by an almost sleepless night. It's been a while.
She took a look around, trying to find out the local time. A few minutes after seven. I might catch him on his way to work if I'm quick enough, she thought, aiming for the taxi stop.
As they pulled in at the business area of the city, Eva handed the driver a bill and scanned the neighbourhood for the closest coffee shop.
And there he was.
The tall blonde in a suit, wearing the necktie she helped him pick years ago. One hand swinging his briefcase, the other holding a cup of coffee, probably with a drop of maple syrup in it.
"Matthew!" she called.
The young man stopped abruptly, then looked in her direction, shock written all over his face.
"E-Eva?"
Slo ran to him.
"Wha-What are you doing here?!" he stuttered.
"You know." She looked down, then up again. "I missed you. I wanted to surprise you," she beamed.
"Well… It's a surprise indeed," he managed.
For a moment, they said nothing.
He doesn't look as pleased as I expected. He doesn't seem pleased at all, the brunette observed.
"So… Want to have a breakfast?" she suggested.
"I'm sorry, I can't," he said, looking uneasy. "I've got plenty of important meetings today."
"Oh, I see," the girl mumbled, looking away, trying not to lose her heart.
He reached into his pocket and handed her a key.
"How about you go to my house, have a nap and then go shopping? Wait, I'll give you my credit card." He started to search for his wallet.
"I'm good, I've got my own money."
"Alright then, I'll see you tonight." He gave her a stiff smile and walked away.
I've just crossed an ocean and you didn't even kiss me, she thought to herself.
He got back that evening as soon as possible, just like he promised. They talked, ate a take-out, made love. It hurt Eva a bit, still, the pain was better than nothing. It's just weird because we haven't done it in such a long time. It'll be better tomorrow.
They agreed she would meet him after his hockey training the next day. She would always enjoy her attending. Matthew was more than a decent player and he looked amazing in the red and white outfit. That much hadn't changed.
As they finished, he gestured at her to meet him on his way to the changing room.
He stood there, helmet under his arm, his hair mussed and sweaty. They kissed.
"Come with me." She dragged him to an empty office. As she locked the door, she threw herself into his arms, kissing him hungrily, experienced fingers undoing the padding.
Her lover broke the kiss.
"Err… Eva… What are you doing?"
"Isn't it obvious? You know I lose all my self-control when I see you in that attire." She smirked, attacking his neck, looking for the sweet spot.
He took hold of her arms, gently forcing her away.
"We can't do that here,"
"Well, we've done this before," she said matter-of-factly.
"I've never wanted to," he spat. His friend's lips parted in astonishment.
"Wait." She shook her head. "What do you mean?!"
"I'm okay if it's once or twice a week. But you've always been pushing me too hard. There's more to life than that, eh."
They fell silent.
"Why didn't you say so?" she finally managed.
"I didn't want to make you unhappy," the blond explained, shrugging.
What kind of messed-up logic is that? Eva wondered. "Let's meet at the parking lot," she muttered minutes later, leaning her forehead against the cold wall.
"So, is there anything else I should know except that you used to force yourself to sleep with me?" she started on their way home, sulking.
"I think you drink too much," the blond said casually.
Slovakia took a deep breath.
"If you're in mood for honesty today, I don't like poutine," she retorted.
That surprised Matthew at the point of almost causing an accident. He pulled in to the nearest pavement and stopped for a while.
"But we're always eating that here." He looked at her, incredulous.
"I mean, I love potatoes," Eva continued, "But not the BBQ sauce. And cheese? On fries? You can literally hear your veins clogging with fat."
"That's a bold statement from someone whose favourite meal is egg-based pasta with liquid cheese and bacon."
He took his phone, checking something. The Slovak couldn't help peeking. What is so important that it can't wait until we have finished talking? Oh, that website again.
"Don't get me wrong, I like hockey, too. But aren't you taking it a bit too seriously?" She asked and he slowly turned to look at her. Immediately she realized she'd crossed the line. She opened her mouth to take it back, but he was quicker.
"Well, it wouldn't hurt you to do a bit more sport, too," he observed, glancing at her belly.
The Slav felt dumbfounded. As for most of the women, that was a really sensitive subject.
"Anything else?" she asked coolly, hoping for a negative answer, preferably an apology, too.
"Your perfume. You should try something else. It's a bit too much."
"I make it myself from the flowers I pick at my place. It's a part of my identity," Eva objected. Her friend shrugged.
They sat there in silence for a while, digesting the blows, their pride hurt.
"Just… Who are you?" she whispered, disbelieving.
"I'm Canada. Your boyfriend. Remember?" He turned to look at her.
Eva averted her eyes. That just... didn't sound right.
She cried herself to sleep that night.
Toris smelled the shirt he had worn the other day, a dreamy look all over his face. Eva's perfume still lingered on it.
I'm not washing this for a while, he decided.
-END OF CHAPTER 2-