T/Ws: Violence, Abuse, Injury, Threats

Chapter 18: Learn Your Place

The meeting soon ended and they were heading home. Gilbert had gotten plenty of chances to speak to his brother alone and was grateful for it. He couldn't tell if Ivan was intentionally provoking America so their arguments would cause more breaks or not but he was glad it did.

Ivan pulled his car onto the driveway and shut it off.

'Did you have fun?' Russia smiled as he pulled the keys out the ignition.

'Thanks for keeping your promise. I missed him so much.' Gilbert said in a rare moment of sincerity.

'We are partners, da. Is what we do.' Ivan blushed, grabbing the Prussian's hand.

Once Ivan let go of Prussia's hand they left the car and headed inside. As soon as they walked in they were approached by Lithuania.

'Umm… Mr. Russia… Your Boss called and instructed you to phone him as soon as you got back…' Lithuania said nervously.

'Oh.' Ivan said, his face dropping momentarily.

'Please take my bags to my room for me Lithuania. I will go and call him.' Ivan said, forcing a smile on his face.

Russia walked as fast as he could to his office as dread filled his heart. Why did his Boss want him to phone? This was never good. Normally his Boss would at least let him have one night when he got back from a meeting away.

Ivan locked his door before walking to the phone. Sitting at the desk with a sad sigh he began to dial the dreaded number.

'Would you like to explain what the fuck you were doing at that meeting?' His Boss said as soon as the phone connected.

'I was informing the others of our achievements in our part of Germany and they were doing the same for theirs.' Ivan said, trying to hide his fear.

'YOU KNOW WHAT I MEANT YOU UNGRATEFUL SHIT!' His boss screamed, causing Ivan to flinch in fear even though he wasn't there.

'Not only did you bring that fucking German along without being ordered to do so but you kept causing way too much of a ruckus with the American. Do you want him to drop a nuke on us? I TOLD YOU TO NOT STIR HIM TO MUCH UNTIL WE HAVE OUR OWN OR DID YOU FORGET!' His Boss scolded.

Ivan had known there was a risk his Boss had a spy there among the civilian staff but he hadn't thought it would have mattered, they weren't in the meeting room after all. Unless they overheard the American speaking about it after.

'I just… I just thought as it was about him it would look better on us if he came along… and I tried but Amer-' Ivan shook out before getting cut off.

'NO FUCKIING BUTS! You are to report to me now! I think I need to remind you who is in charge here!' His boss ordered before hanging up the phone.

'Oh no.' Ivan said nervously as he placed the handset down.

'I knew I had done wrong. I thought I could get away with it. That was silly of me.' Ivan smiled as his eyes watered.

Ivan wiped his eyes as he straightened his uniform and walked outside. He was always scared when this happened, his smile masked it well. He didn't understand it but he knew that's how the world works. Even still he hated his Bosses for it.

'I have important things to do. Please dine without me tonight I will be late!' Ivan said to Lithuania before dashing out the front door to his car.

'Let's get this over with so I can be stronger, da!' Ivan proclaimed with a smile as his voice shook before getting in the car.

Prussia was surprised when at dinner time he came down to see Russia not there and everyone else already eating. They would never eat without Russia's permission.

'Hey, is Russia not coming?' Gilbert asked confused as he sat down.

'No! He is busy, we are so lucky!' Latvia said excitedly.

'Yes, I must admit a break from his family shit is always well received.' Estonia added.

'Do you know when he will be back?' Prussia asked, he had wanted to surprise Russia tonight in thanks for helping him see his brother.

'No idea. He left very quickly. It will probably be after bedtime so relax, it almost always is when he runs off like that.' Lithuania answered.

Gilbert wasn't surprised none of them minded his absence. Ludwig wasn't all wrong. Ivan was more than happy to hit people. He would always push too much on someone when he placed his hand on them and he lost his temper easily. Prussia always put up a fight back but these guys didn't.

Ivan seemed to genuinely think he was helping them and no amount of Prussia calling him out on how dumb that was worked, then again, he thought of all the stories he had told Gilbert about his bosses punishments. Always as a punishment for his misbehaviour to 'make him stronger' and 'it's how the world works', he had a twisted view of reality and Prussia wasn't convinced it was even his fault anymore. Not that meant Prussia would not make him pay every time he hit him.

Once he was done Prussia went back up to his room and placed a chair in front of the window, looking out at the snow outside.

'This way I can see when that asshole comes home and he will get my awesome thank you treat!' Gilbert smirked as he sat down and pulled out his flute.

He began to play it to keep himself busy. Remembering all the times he would do this for his Brother and Fritz. However as the hours went by he switched to a book before falling asleep in the chair.

He was reawoken some time later by the sound of a car engine in the distance. He looked over to see it was 5 am and after looking to see Ivan's car still missing he was confused.

'Is he still out?' Gilbert said, looking at the headlights in the distance.

The car was going stupidly slow and seemed to be swerving slightly, as it got closer he saw it was indeed Ivan's car and headed down stairs to the front door. Opening it he ran out as the car pulled into the driveway.

'Hey idiot! You best not have gotten drunk without me! I saw you swerving down the-' Prussia snarked as the Russian got out the car, stopping dead as he saw the state he was in.

The Russian's blond hair was coated in dried blood. His face had massive purple bruises all over it and some dried blood was also on his scarf and clothes.

'Hey… Are you-' Prussia said worriedly as the Russian just pushed him over into the snow and walked by him.

'HEY WAIT!' Prussia yelled as he got up and chased after him.

'Your like super hurt! Let me just-' Prussia exclaimed as chased after the Russian.

'Leave me alone! Just leave me alone!' Ivan said ominously before hobbling away.

'I am not going anywhere. Come one. Let me help.' Gilbert said, grabbing the Russian by his arm.

Ivan yelped in pain before pulling his pipe out with his free hand and hitting the Prussian in the stomach.

'I SAID LEAVE ME ALONE! THAT IS AN ORDER! DON'T MAKE ME WARN YOU AGAIN!' Ivan screamed, pushing his pipe into the Prussian's neck as he cried.

'Fine fucking bleed out. See if I fucking care.' Prussia spat, getting up and snatching the Russian's pipe, throwing it across the room.

Russia just grabbed the Prussian by his neck in response and squeezed just enough to make it hurt but not enough to suffocate him.

'You need to listen to me! If you don't you will have to be punished! If you don't behave this… this is what will happen!' Ivan cried from both the pain in his arms and all the fear he had felt the last 12 hours.

He took his hands off the Prussian's throat again before walking away to his room. Prussia just spat swears at him and threw stuff at him the entire time until he slammed the door and locked it.