I do not own Hetalia okay? I honestly don't have much to say at these opening chapters so enough of this A/N, on with the fic!

January 5th 1919

(From the diary of Katyusha Braginsky)

I know Vanya sees himself as a burden and it was almost a nightmare to allow me to help him in and out of the tub. I told him not to see me as his sister but as his nurse to see if that would help him. He neededn't be so self conscious when I am just helping him. I figured if he had went into church nice clean and to many who missed and prayed for him so, it would help him. I was surprised when he didn't act as happy to see Fredka and the children as I had imaged he would. He had told me when they had left that he feared this war would flare up again, like a flame that smolders and that in the next time it would be Fredka or the children thrown into the 'meat grinder' he called it with worse weapons. I understand his fear. I had seem many of the injuries he had to help treat and take to the hospital. Mind you, he had to do it under fire and saw many of them soon as they had happened as to the fact that when they had gotten to me, they already had first aid applied and the most hopeless of cases were already expired. These were the lives that I had dedicated to help and as such, there would be times where I would have to see my fair share of men. Eventually he sighed when I told him I did not want the smell of his body odor to overpower the incense at church and he agreed to let him help. I offered to get Matvey or Fredka to help as they don't live too far away and Matvey even stayed overnight many times while Vanya was back in Europe. That had gotten him riled up a little bit, seeming to take his frustrations on the idea that Matvey was less than gentlemanly but that was never the case. Maybe that is the key to getting some fight in him. I often encourage Matvey to sit down and talk with Vanya, one injured veteran to another. It often goes with a "I'll try if he wants to...". I wish they would talk. I have heard many of the records of the Canadian Corps and if he told Vanya what we tell him, it might sink it. It may be the idea that we are telling him this that he is rejecting it.

I also hope that Matvey doesn't think I am ignoring him for Ivan or that I would kick what we share to the curb. I would never do such a thing. In fact honestly he spent more time with me than I did with Natalya when she brought the children over. It may be my hopeful side but I want to think he was fighting his shell shock demon to try to connect with the one thing he loved and hated seeing sad, the children. Now I haven't met Lucille Bonnefoy in person but from what Fredka told me she is "quite a looker and the classy woman he deserves." But maybe that is what he needs. He kept trying to find Natalya a suitor, maybe we do the same for him. He did mention to me tonight before he went to bed to give those stuffed animals Mama made him that don't look like any animal known to science to Fredka's children. Now I know he kept them close for years now. I know he turned 32 not too long ago but I saw no shame in him keeping them close. So I am curious to as if this is actually passing a treasured heirloom to his niece and nephews or a sign of something more.

So how was that? Good? Bad? Short? Long? Let me know in a review. I don't have much to say all in all on this chapter so remember to read (well you just did) and to review. Ciao for now,

otherrealmwriter

aka

Realm