I slowly opened my eyes, just waking up for the second time. In my dazed state I yawned quietly and snuggled up to something, smiling. Wait. As I came to my senses I realized that I was snuggling up to Germany, who was holding me like a pillow. I looked around, trying to find a way out. I didn't want to wake up the sleeping country so I just sat there for a moment. I then attempted to move away slightly and inch my way to freedom but then I heard something. "..n-no...... East... please......" I froze and looked back to the sleeping Germany and saw that he was sweating. He was twitching and tensing up in his sleep, as if he was having a nightmare. "don't.... where...." I heard him mumble. I felt my heart drop and slowly moved back over to him. I hugged him in his sleep, letting him hold me as if I was a teddy bear. It seemed to calm him down a lot, making him stop fidgeting and twitching. I wondered how long I would have to stay like this. I didn't want to leave him while he was having a nightmare. "(Y/N)...?" I heard Germany say, yawning a bit. I looked up to see that he had just woken up. "A-are you okay? You were talking in your sleep...." I whispered, still hugging him. "Oh, I have nightmares occasionally. I'm fine though, they usually last a lot longer than this one did.." He trailed off. "What time is it?" He mumbled, turning over and reading the clock. "It's a bit earlier than when I normally wake up..." I let go of Germany as he got up, patting me on the head.

I smiled slightly, sitting up and watching Germany organize the mess that he had scattered around the cluttered corner of the room. The country seemed a little more relaxed than usual. The normally stiff and proper posture he usually held was relaxed and loose. His movements were less stiff and in place of the serious expression he always wore he held a small smile. I fixed my hair a little so it looked decent rather than looking like a birds nest. Germany turned with a stack of papers clutched to his chest and his smile grew brighter. "Come on, France agreed to help us pick out new clothes and give you a bath today." I nodded in response, getting up off the bed and adjusting my clothes. The country held out a hand for me, letting me gently grab it as we walked towards the door. I felt my confidence waver. I was completely fine when I was with Germany but I was still afraid of going out there and seeing all the other countries. Especially if they stared at me. They were probably judging me. This is exactly the reason why I don't like large crowds. I squeezed Germany's hand for comfort and hesitantly went with him as he opened the door and stepped out.

I was still holding his hand as we walked, looking around at all the other countries passing by. Out of the corner of my eye I could see some people casting glances towards me and Germany. I kinda shrank a little and moved more so that I was hidden behind him, I'm pretty sure he noticed because he squeezed my hand and glanced down at me. After giving me a reassuring smiled he stopped in front of a large door. "Okay (Y/N), I have to give these papers to EU okay? Wait right here and I'll be right back," he said quietly, letting go of my hand. I simply nodded, looking around nervously. I sat down, leaning against the wall and look towards the door as it slowly closed. I hope it doesn't take long. I don't like being alone out here. There weren't that many countries in the hallway surprisingly but I still hugged my knees to my chest and looked down. It almost seemed like an eternity, just waiting there. I didn't want to know how many people were staring at me as they walked by. I really hope he comes back soon. As I sat there in silence for a moment I suddenly heard something. Loud footsteps. They were heavy, as if the person walking was wearing weird shoes that weighed them down. I kept my head down, not giving into my curiosity.

I started to feel a growing anxiety, sitting on my neck like a spider. I don't know why but the loud sound scared me. The sound got louder and louder as whoever was making it came towards me. I expected the person to just walk past. Why would they stop anyways? I sat there and waited, waited for the footsteps to pass. Instead I heard them abruptly stop. Whoever was making the sounds was in front of me, just standing there. Maybe they had business with EU? I could feel the growing temptation to look up and see who it was. I then heard something, someone, talking. The person in front of me had a deep voice, it sounded kinda scratchy. I finally gave into my curiosity. I slowly glanced up, lifting my head off my arms and letting out a small squeak in surprise. Looming over me was a country with dark blue skin dressed in a strange outfit, it looked a bit like what I saw some normal people wearing as they walked around, and heavy boots made with metal tips. The most noticeable thing about him was that he had a red cloth wrapped around his head, at least it looked like a cloth. It had a weird star design over where his right eye should be. I wondered how he could see, was he blind or something? Even as I thought to myself I could feel the adrenaline running through me as my brain screamed at me to run. I forcefully stopped myself as I stared at the strange country. His expression made it almost impossible to decipher what he was thinking.

I think he noticed my discomfort because he leaned in a bit closer and said something I didn't understand. I looked up at him, slightly confused. The intimidating country cleared his throat and seemingly looked down at me again. "Understand me now?" They said in a heavy accent. I looked up at them, wanting to curl up into a ball and hide. Hesitantly, I gave a small nod, looking down quickly as I felt a shiver go up my spine. "I won't hurt you." I guess he was trying to reassure me because when I glanced back at him instead of standing he had knelt down in front of me, leaning in a tad closer. "I am North Korea," he said, his voice softening. That's suspiciously close to South Korea. Was he trying to calm me down? I still couldn't tell what he was thinking, as he kept the same poker face the entire time. Not being able to see his eyes didn't help. "You are?" I suddenly snapped out of thought. "I.... I'm (Y/N)...." I said quietly looking down. How long would it be before I actually got used to that name? "Nice to meet you," North Korea said in slightly broken English. I nodded and gave him a small smile, trying my best not to be awkward. He almost seemed to smile back as he quickly stood up. "I'll see you... later?" It almost seemed like a question but I nodded anyways. The strange country nodded back as he continued down the hall, his boots making loud thuds as he disappeared out of sight. North Korea seemed nice, like everyone else I met so far. Something kept tugging on me though. He seemed to act so calm around me and yet it seemed so strange. He was dressed in some sort of uniform too. It just seemed so threatening. The blindfold peaked my curiosity as well. Why did he have that on?

As I stared off in the direction the country went, wondering what just happened, I heard something from the room next to me. I looked over to the large door and listened in. I couldn't see anything but from what I heard I thought someone inside must be fuming. That's when I heard it.
"If you can't deal with it then you're ruining my reputation. I need to be perfect! If you keep this up you'll turn just like your father did."