Here he was again. Lithuania was with his good friend Poland, strolling around outside with a bag over his shoulder. Their feet walked on Polish land towards a swimming hall, Poland was all eccentric about showing off his new pink speedo when they arrived. He had been talking about it ever since Lithuania arrived last night! While Lithuania walked calmly, Poland swirled as he walked.

"I, like, just can`t wait to show you, Liet! My new speedo is so fabulous!" Poland did a pirouette.

Lithuania was glad to see Poland this happy, but he felt wary. He feared Poland would hurt the people around them with the way he swung his bag around, and he feared Poland would hurt himself for acting the way he did. Lithuania made sure Poland didn`t trip or crash, this was like taking care of a drunkard! Lithuania forgot he walked backwards for some time as he kept a close eye on Poland and he bumped into someone.

"Oh, I`m so sorry! I didn`t see where I was going!" Lithuania turned around to face the person he crashed into.

It was an old man, most probably in his eighties or more. He wore a flat cap, his hair and beard were grey, the underneath of his eyes were very wrinkly, and he was well covered in his coat.

"Don`t worry, it`s alright" The man said with a gentle voice.

The man`s features turned soft. He looked like a grandfather who met his grandchild for the first time after a long time. He also seemed amused by how Poland walked the way he did.

"It looks like someone is excited"

Lithuania smiled and laughed.

"Yeah, he is like that…"

There was a distance between Poland and Lithuania, Poland had danced his way from the path they walked on. Eventually Poland noticed he couldn`t see Lithuania anymore, so he stopped dancing and turned his head in every angle possible; up and down, left and right. As amusing this was, Lithuania had to make Poland notice him before he started nagging like a lost child.

"Poland, over here!" Lithuania waved and called for him.

"Poland…?" The old man whispered in a gloomy tone.

Lithuania had no time to wonder about this man`s sudden change of mood as Poland jogged towards him on tip toes.

"Like, where did you go, Liet? You know you just can`t go without..."

The sudden change of mood occurred to Poland as well. Lithuania knew Poland was shy and felt uncomfortable in presence with strangers, but it didn`t seem like this was the case. Caught in between, Lithuania wondered what was going on between the man and Poland.

"It`s been awhile" The man said monotonous.

Poland didn`t say anything back, he just stood there completely frozen in his place. Lithuania found it uncomfortable to see how Poland just stared at the man, who looked like a wild animal ready to catch his prey. Unlike towards Lithuania, the man`s face was stern and angry towards Poland. The soft grandfather turned into an old man ready to smack a culprit who committed a serious crime. Lithuania wanted to intervene in order to stop this intimidating tension but didn`t feel any time was the right to do so.

"…Wojciech?" Poland said eventually when time seemed to have stopped.

So that was the man`s name? And Poland knew him? The man`s brow knitted tight.

"So, you remember me, huh?" The man named Wojciech said, this time with an angry tone.

Wojciech turned around and walked away from the two.

Poland looked like he`d seen a ghost. His eyes were wide open, and he stared at Wojciech as he went further away. Poland`s way of breathing worried Lithuania, his exhalation was clearly heard but there were no sounds of inhaling.

"…Poland?" Lithuania said.

No reaction, Lithuania put his hand on Poland`s shoulder and shook him. That brought Poland back to reality, however in a vigorous way as he jolted from Lithuania.

"What`s going on? Who was that?" Lithuania asked him worriedly.

Poland put his hand to his chest and took deep, uneven breaths.

"Nothing, it`s nothing… Let`s go to the swimming hall, yeah?" Poland smiled but not enthusiastically as usually, the smile was thin wall hiding a cruel place. Lithuania wouldn't push Poland. Whatever this was, Poland probably would be better when they had arrived and he had showed off his speedo.

"

After the talk with that Polish man, there was no swirling or twirling from Poland for the rest of the way. He walked slowly and looked at the ground. Many questions came to Lithuania`s mind, he wanted to ask Poland those questions and figure out what was going on but decided not to, not when Poland was this way he was now. Maybe Poland would ease up after a swim.

They entered the changing room for men. Lithuania found a hook to hang up his bag and a spot underneath the hook to place his clothes. Poland remained near the door, nervously staring around. Lithuania wasn`t sure if Poland was like this because of the meeting on the way or because of his shy nature towards strangers. Still, something was not right. Whenever Poland was shy, he would avoid stand face to face with a stranger and he blushed when he was shy. This was like the encounter on the way, he stood frozen and he looked at his surroundings with pure terror. Lithuania had to step in, if Poland wouldn`t burst then he would.

"Come on, Poland, let`s get changed!" Lithuania tried to sound merry as he gently took hold of Poland`s hand.

No jolting movements from Poland this time, in fact, he clenched Lithuania`s hand and held onto it for dear life.

"

People usually showered before putting something on, and of course, after they had finished swimming. Most of the men in the shower were nude when Lithuania and Poland walked in as they were clad in their swim attire. Poland freaked out.

"Nononono, don`t make me go inside…!" Poland muttered.

Lithuania didn't know Poland was so strong, not until he felt his hand get squeezed by Poland`s grip. Poland shook like a leaf.

"It`s alright, Poland. This is a part of going swimming, everybody needs to shower before-ow!"

Poland`s managed to squeeze Lithuania`s hand even harder! The nails dug into the flesh, Lithuania feared he would end up with a broken, bleeding hand.

"Let go, Poland, it hurts!"

Poland didn't respond no matter how much Lithuania struggled to free his hand. Poland just stood there with his pupils moving around vigorously as he was breathing unevenly. Lithuania knew now Poland wasn't acting shy, he was terrified!

"Poland, what`s wrong? It`s just a shower!"

Finally, Poland let go of Lithuania`s hand by flinging it and nearly dislocating Lithuania`s shoulder. Poland slowly backed away whilst looking around carefully and when he was out of the shower room, he ran out of the changing room and left his belongings behind! Lithuania could do nothing but wonder, what was all this about?