I don't like how I wrote this chapter, but I can't find a way to fix it. Hope you enjoy anyway, I guess.
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North Korea POV

The air was silent and tense. Countries all over the lunchroom didn't talk, everyone had heard what Taiwan said. Everyone stared at the brothers, who were still.

I was shocked. Sure, China had never talked about his parents, heck, he never even mention them, but I would never know that they abandoned him!
Taiwan covered his mouth. China looked at him in disbelief. "Y-you...you promised you wouldn't mention it..."

"I-I know...I...China, I didn't-"

China sprinted out of the lunchroom.

"China!" Taiwan called after him.

Taiwan tried to follow China but a few countries stopped him, telling him that China needed time to himself. Tears fell from Taiwan's eyes and he reluctantly agreed. Countries escorted him to an empty table and sat and calmed him down.

Everyone else remained silent. I stared at the doors where China left. He had ran out pretty fast and just the thought of him being abandoned broke my heart.

"Is he okay?" Iran asked.

"Excuse me? He was abandoned by his parents, of course he's not okay!" I said...in my head.

I actually just sighed and told him, "Probably not. I'll check on him."

I stood up and walked across the lunchroom. When I reached the doors I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around and saw South Korea behind me. I normally would push him away but...

1. My left arm is in a cast.

And 2. Something more important is on my mind.

South was silent for a moment. He sighed. "행운을 빌어 요 (Good luck North)"

I nodded slightly. South removed his hand from my shoulder and opened the doors for me. "감사. (Thanks)" I said.

I walked down the hallways but stopped. Where could China have gone? Let's see...

Oh! I know! We've known each other for so long, I'll just try to remember a moment when China was upset like this in school and where he ran off to.

After about two or so minutes, I finally remembered a moment in middle school where China ran off to the bathroom because he was upset over something America said.

I decided to check all the bathrooms first. I speed-walked to the closest bathroom and went inside. It was silent. Even so, I decided to check all the stalls. I pushed on each one and eventually pushed the one in the very corner of the bathroom.

It didn't open.

I pressed the side of my head against the door. It was silent for a while, but I eventually heard a sniffle. I sighed and knocked on the door. "China? Are you in there? It's me, North Korea."

I heard a whimper and then the sound of someone getting up. I heard the door unlock and it opened slightly. I heard the noise of someone sitting back down again (on the floor), then I opened it.

China sat there curled up against the wall. He stared at the floor as tears rolled down his cheeks. I sighed.

I sat down beside him and leaned on him. "You gonna be okay?" I asked him.

China started shaking more than he already was. He tried to say something but couldn't. He covered his face with his hands and started whimpering.

I placed my hand on his arm. "It's okay, let it out."

China lay his head on me and started crying. It was relatively quiet because his voice was muffled. I rubbed his back and didn't say anything. I let him cry. He needed it. He was probably bottling his emotions about it for so long, he finally has the chance to get it out of his system.

After a few minutes, China stopped. He sat up and hugged me tightly. I hugged him back and I heard him take a few deep breaths. His grip weakened a little and he set his head on my shoulder.

"Sorry you had to s-see me like this..." China whispered. I could barely hear him.

"Don't apologize for having emotions. I couldn't imagine someone having to go through that..." I paused. "but you went through it. I'm so sorry."

My grip on China tightened and he flinched. "You don't have to answer this next question."

"What is...what is it..?"

I sighed. "Do you know anything about your parents?"

I felt China shake his head. "T-Taiwan cut them off a-after we left... The one thing I do know is th-that they h-hate me a-and lo-love T-Taiwan..."

China had started shaking a lot. I felt that he was about to cry again so I started rubbing his back-something that he always does when I'm upset.

He started to calm down. I wasn't sure of any tears had fallen because his face was hidden in my shoulder. He took a few deep breaths and relaxed a little. He chuckled sadly. "No wonder they don't love me..." His fingers dug into my back. "It would be no surprise if I was an accident..."

Alright, tears are definitely falling from China's eyes now. I frowned. "Stop that. They don't love you, you say? Well it's their lost." I cradled his cheek in my hand and wiped away tears. I gave him a reassuring smile. "You're a kind and loving person, that's why I and so many other countries love you. Anyone who doesn't see that are scumbags."

China stared at me for a few moments before more tears started to fall. I went to wipe them away but he hugged me before I could. His grip was tight and I couldn't breathe that well. I didn't say anything because if this could be his way of handling the remaining pain inside him, I didn't want to ruin it.

China's breathing slowed and became more paced. He let go of me. He wiped away what tears were left and I stood up. I reached my hand out to him. "Ready?"

He nodded and took my hand. I helped him up and we walked to the doors of the bathroom. Before I could open them China grabbed my shoulder, stopping me. I turned back to him and raised a brow. Apart from looking tired from crying a minute ago, he looked anxious.

"Is something wrong, China?"

"A-Actually, I-I don't want to leave yet."

Understandable. I didn't really want to leave either. I nodded and went back over to China, who had sat down again against the wall. Thankfully, he wasn't in a stall.

I sat beside him. "Do you want to talk about anything?"

He shook his head.

"Do you want to tell me more?"

He shrugged. "Maybe later...when we're somewhere more...secure..."

I nodded. I didn't want to push him. I sighed. "You wanna go to class? Lunch should be almost over."

China frantically shook his head. He started hyperventilating."N-no... I-I...I couldn't concentrate if I t-tried I-"

"It's okay, we don't have to go."

His breathing slowed and he relaxed. He sighed and layed down on my lap. I was wondering why he all of a sudden had a freak out about going to class, but he looked sleepy so I didn't say anything.

I rubbed his back. He closed his eyes and fell asleep. He looked pitiful, and I felt so bad for him. But his sleeping form made me smile nonetheless. China looked peaceful and at ease.

And cute.

This probably what China feels when I fall asleep. Nice to know.

I sighed. The silence of the bathroom wasn't bothering me, fortunately. I actually kinda liked it. Just me and China in this small room.

The floor was a little uncomfortable but eh, I can't complain. Not like I could move because China was asleep on my lap, and I didn't want to wake him. I was still rubbing his back and smiling.

The silence of the bathroom was broken by my phone notification going off. I sighed and pulled it out. South had texted me. I'm kinda surprised I still had his number. I guess I planned on deleting it but forgot to.

북한, 당신과 중국은 괜찮습니까? 점심은 얼마 전에 끝나고 수업은 막 끝났습니다. 아무도 당신을 보지 못했습니다.
(North, are you and China okay? Lunch had ended a while ago and class just ended. Nobody has seen you.)

Wait what? Jeez, time passes quickly.
I changed my phone notification from sound to vibrate to not wake China. I then texted South back.

벌써 그랬어? 중국과 나는 아직도 화장실에 있습니다. 그는 내 무릎에서 자고 있습니다.
(It's been that long already? China and I are still in the bathroom. He's asleep on my lap.)

우선, awww .... 둘째로, 나는 간다. 어느 화장실에 있습니까?
(First off, awww....
Second off, I'm coming. Which bathroom are you in?)

오지 않아도 돼, 사우스 수업이 있습니다.
(You don't need to come, South. You have classes.)

나는 지금 그 사람들에 대해 덜 걱정할 수 있습니다! 어느 화장실에 있습니까?
(I could care less about those right now! Which bathroom are you in.)

어 ...
(Ugh...)

식당의 왼쪽에는 가장 먼저 보이는 욕실이 있습니다.
(To the left of the lunchroom, the very first bathroom you see.)

감사합니다.
(Thank you.)

물론 이죠
(Sure, whatever.)

Alright, now South is coming. I guess that isn't so bad. We've all been together before, when I had that break down after I left the party.

I guess I just sit back and wait now.

Not even a few minutes later I saw the door open. This could've been anyone so I immediately looked down and continued to stroke China's back while he slept. I only looked up when I heard a familiar Korean accent. "북한? (North Korea?)"

I saw South standing there. He turned and shut the door and hurried over. He sat down in front of me and looked at China. "그는 괜찮아? (Is he alright?)" He asked me.

I shrugged. "지금은 괜찮아 보이지만 더 일찍 몸을 담그고있었습니다. (He seems okay now, but he was sobbing earlier.)"

South frowned. "나는 그의 부모님을 만나고 그들의 쓰레기를 이길 싶어. (I wanna meet up with his parents and beat the crap out of them.)"

I nodded. "너와 나도 똑같아 (You and me same.)"

It went silent after that. South quietly hummed K-Pop songs while I stroked China's back while he slept. It was peaceful in here.

Until America came in.

I assume he needed to use the bathroom. He walked inside staring at his phone and looked up. "Woah!" He shouted, almost dropping his phone.

South turned around and quickly shushed him, but it was too late. China woke up. He sat up and stretched. He then rubbed his eyes. He looked around the bathroom and looked confused for a second, then he seemed to remember because he quietly said, "Oh..."

China noticed America and his gaping mouth and raised a brow. America shut his mouth and took a deep breath. His expression changed from surprise to sympathy. "You alright, dude?"

China nodded and looked down at me. He smiled and I felt my cheeks warm up. I returned the smile and hugged him. He hugged me back.

America turned to South. "When did you get here?"

South shrugged. "Don't know don't care. China was already asleep when I arrived though."

It went silent again. Everyone was still and China and I still sat in the hug. America then jumped up and rushed to the closest stall. China, South Korea, and I all laughed at that.

China burrowed his head into my shoulder again. I didn't think much of it so I just rubbed his back.

rAnDoM tImE sKiP

It was now the end of the day and countries lingered at the school. Most of them stayed so they could see China. Others just stayed because they wanted to. Taiwan was standing by the two columns (the entrance/exit of the school) nervously, he was pacing back and forth. UN and NATO were nowhere to be found.

I stared at all of them from the window inside the school. China was behind me, sat on a chair. I turned back around and sighed. "There's still a lot out there, it doesn't look like they're leaving anytime soon."

China sighed. "It's alright I guess. I didn't expect them to anyway. I just wanted to stay inside a little longer."

I nodded and held his hand. China got up and opened the doors to the school. Every country turned to us when they heard the doors open. A few took steps forward. It was silent. No one said a word.

Everyone was too nervous to say something. China and I walked towards the columns, and Taiwan looked at us. He seemed to avoid eye contact until we were close. China let go of my hand and stopped beside Taiwan, looking up at him.

Taiwan looked back at China and took a deep breath. "Look, I'm really sorry about what I said earlier. I understand I broke the promise I made to you, and thanks to me...everybody knows..." Taiwan glanced around at the other countries when he said that. "If you don't forgive me then I understand."

China stared at him for a while. He then shrugged. Taiwan looked at him, confused. "I really thought you'd show more emotion..."

China kicked a rock on the ground and shrugged. "I'm tired of using energy to be upset..." He mumbled.

Taiwan sighed. He was about to say something only to be cut off by a loud wail. We turned to the direction of the sound and every country was staring at someone. Eventually, everyone was getting shoved out of someone's way.

Russia burst out of the crowd with his siblings in hot pursuit. I heard a few of them yelling at each other in another language, but there was so many voices saying so many things I couldn't catch any of it. Not that I could if they were talking one-by-one, anyway.

Russia had tears coming from his eyes and traveling down his cheeks. He sped past me and down the sidewalk with his siblings close behind. I didn't realize it before, but Georgia was actually with them.

Surprising.

Now everyone was confused. But we all knew something.

If Russia and his siblings all freaked out and are going to the same place, it isn't good.

UN POV

I was waiting outside the math classroom waiting for the teacher to call me inside with NATO. This was the same teacher that said she'd call hospitals. Currently, she was talking to somebody inside. NATO was sitting on the floor while I paced back and forth.

"UN, calm down." NATO said, annoyed by my pacing.

I ignored him.

"If you're worried about EU then-"

"Of course I'm worried about EU!" I shouted, turning to him. "He just...disappeared for no reason! He didn't call me, or text me, or do anything to reassure me he might be going somewhere for a while but he didn't! I-I'm just..."

NATO stood up and wiped away a tear. "I'm sure he's okay."

"But what if he's in the hospital..?"

"If he's in a hospital it's better than him being missing." NATO said.

I didn't respond.

He sighed. "How about you sit down for a minute? To calm down."

I reluctantly sat down up against the wall beside NATO. I was still pretty stressed but NATO was right, I was relaxing. I sat back and looked up at the ceiling. "I'm just worried, NATO. EU wouldn't ever just disappear for no reason."

NATO nodded. "He wouldn't. As much as you think I'm so calm about this, I'm not. I'm really worried as well, I just don't want my feelings to get in the way of my day-to-day activities."

I chuckled but it didn't last long. "I-I guess we both need him here."

NATO nodded. "As a friend for me, and as a boyfriend for you."

"He's not-"

"Everyone knows you have feelings for him. Don't deny it."

I huffed and turned away. Everyone teasing me about this is getting annoying.

The door to the classroom opened up and the Science teacher walked out. He didn't even acknowledge us and walked away. I got up and had to resist from running inside.

NATO and I walked in and the teacher looked at us with a bright smile on her face. "Hello UN and NATO. Take a seat."

There were three chairs in front of her desk, some others must have stayed behind for a little as well. NATO and I sat down on the chairs at the edges and looked at her. "Any luck?" I asked her.

She nodded. She took a piece of paper off her desk and handed it to me. "This is the hospital he's currently at."

I hopped out of my chair and almost sprinted out of the room before the teacher stopped me. "He's alright, dear. They told me he's fine and doing well."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

NATO got up and followed me out the classroom. Once we were out and the door was closed, I sprinted to the staircase with NATO in hot pursuit.

"UN! Where are you going?" NATO asked as he ran by my side.

"To the roof!"

"Why?!"

"So I have plenty of space to fly to the hospital!"

We ran up four flights of stairs and finally reached the roof. Once there, NATO and I both extended our wings and jumped into the air. We flew above the countries as they gawked and to the direction of the hospital.

Time skip

Finally! Finally! We finally reached the hospital. NATO and I ran inside and the lady at the desk looked at us in confusion. We stopped running and walked up to the desk.

"We're here to see someone." I said.

"Their full name, please?"

"European Union."

"You're full names, please?"

"United Nations and North Atlantic Treaty Organization."

"The person you want to see is on the fifth floor, room 557." She gave us a note saying the floor and the room. "They are being visited by doctors, so you'll have to wait."

"Thank you." NATO and I walked to the elevator and went inside. NATO pressed 5 and we waited until we arrived on the floor. Once the doors opened we walked down the halls and corners until we arrived at room 557. There were chairs outside the room so we sat down in them and waited.

Five minutes later, two doctors came outside. "You can head inside if you wish." One of them said and walked away.

NATO and I stood up and walked into the room. EU was there and smiled at us when we came inside. "Hey guys!"

I ran over to him and hugged him. "I'm so glad you're okay!"

EU hugged me back. I pulled away after a while and went straight to questions. "Are you okay? How did you end up here? Why didn't you answer my calls? When did you get here?"

"Woah, slow down UN. I'm fine, they're releasing me tomorrow. Have you watched the news?"

"Huh?"

"The day of the party, it was on the news. They never said my name because I didn't want them to. I got robbed and the person tried to kill me."

I covered my mouth as he continued. "Thankfully, the wounds weren't that bad and I healed pretty quickly. The person stole my phone. I got here the same day I was attacked."

"Are you sure you're okay?" NATO asked.

EU nodded. "I'm fine. I can even get up and walk around if I wanted to."

"Did the police catch the person?" I asked.

"No. But they did retrieve some of the items they stole, like my wallet."

"Is there anything in your wallet?"

"The only things missing are the euro's that were inside, but other than that everything is just the way I left them."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. But I would cancel your cards and get new ones just in case."

"That's what I'm planning on doing."

We spent the rest of our time there talking and joking. NATO and I told EU about all the stuff going on at school, and EU told us what it's like to be in a hospital.

"It's scary at first, but you warm up to it. Some things are still nerve racking though, it really just depends on what you're in the hospital for."

NATO sighed. "Like Soviet..." He mumbled.

"What?" EU raised a brow.

NATO looked at him. "Soviet has this really bad headache, the ones the people of the Soviet Union get. He's in the hospital because of it."

"Oh, I knew that."

NATO and I looked at EU, surprised. "What? How?" I asked.

"When I first got here, I was in the same area for a while: emergency care. When I was getting transferred to this room I saw Soviet getting rolled past me. Later on the doctors told me he's in the same room I used to be in."

NATO and I shared an astonished glance. EU and Soviet Union were in the same hospital?! Well, I guess not for long because EU is being released tomorrow, but still.

"Before you say or go anywhere," EU said, interrupting my thoughts. "They don't allow just anyone to visit him."

"Then who can visit him?" I asked.

"His kids and his closest friends, Third Reich, Italy, Japan, China, North Korea, Britain, them."

"Wait, I thought Britain and Soviet weren't close, let alone friends. Soviet always pushes Britain away." NATO said, confused.

"Oh, they are much closer than you think. They grew up together, you know." EU explained.

"You mean they're childhood friends?" NATO asked.

I nodded.

"But they fought each other during World War 2." NATO said, trying to keep from shouting.

"Not the entire war," I corrected him. "just part of it. Why do you think Soviet chose Britain to help him look for Reich after Reich's army was almost defeated?"

"But Soviet keeps saying that him and Britain aren't friends!"

"They are, it's just a thing they're doing for a 700 years. Britain says they are, while Soviet says they aren't. Once the 700 years are up they stop playing that game."

"And how long is that?"

"Next year it'll be over."

It went silent in the room. NATO had his face in his hands while EU and I stared at him. "You should know all this; he's in NATO." EU told NATO.

"How do you know all of it? Britian's not in the EU."

"When he was I looked into his memories and found out. Anything new that happens UN has to tell me."

NATO nodded. He sighed and his expression turned grim. "But..."

EU and I raised a brow. NATO turned to us. "If they're so close, how does Britain not know who Soviet's ex-wife was? Shouldn't he have known from all the years him and her dated and their marriage?"

Good question. EU and I shrugged. "We don't know either." I said.

"How about you look into his memories, maybe something happened." EU suggested.

"Good idea."

"Wait, I can do it too!" NATO interjected. "Why didn't you ask me?"

"Because you'll get distracted." EU said.

"Touche."

I sat back and closed my eyes. I looked through Britain's memories and came to a point where it was the day before Soviet and [inaudible] started dating.

Britain and Soviet were sitting at a cafe, Soviet enjoying coffee while Britain drank tea. I smiled to myself. Britian still liked tea even all those years ago. Nothing has changed between him and tea.

I jumped out of my thoughts when Britain asked Soviet a question.

"Hey, Sov?"

"Да?"

"When you gonna ask her out?"

Soviet blushed and set down his coffee. "Tomorrow, maybe."

"Why not today?"

"She's busy today, you stupid Brit. Besides, I don't think I could."

"Because you're nervous?"

Soviet nodded as his blush deepened. "And we already made plans for tomorrow, so..."

Britain laughed. "Well, be sure to tell me if she accepts it or not. I'm here for you."

Soviet stood up and went to where Britain was now standing. He hugged him. "I'm glad you're my friend."

"I'm glad you're my friend, too."

I skipped to the next day before I started crying. But I got confused when it came to Soviet's call to Britain after he confessed to [inaudible]. I couldn't hear anything, I couldn't hear a word they were saying to each other.

After Britain hung up not only could I not hear anything, I couldn't see anything. Everything was blurry to the point I couldn't distinguish objects and what they were.

After a few seconds of this, everything just went black all of a sudden. I knew I was still in Britain's memories so I sped up until it came to a point I could see again. But I couldn't hear.

What I saw was Soviet crying while clutching a pillow Britain gave him while Britain said things I couldn't hear.

It continued like this until I came to memories a year later. That's when things returned to normal. I could hear and see things.

I decided that was enough and exited Britain's memories. EU and NATO stared at me.

"Well?" NATO asked.

"Things were fine until I couldn't hear anything. Then I couldn't see anything and then it just went black. I skipped a lot of time until I could see again but I still couldn't hear. Memories a year later are normal but..."

NATO and EU stared at me. Then it hit me. "Wait...Britain doesn't remember what happened. No wonder he doesn't know! Anything concerning her he can't remember!"

"But why?" EU asked. "Why can't he remember?"

"I'm not sure." I sighed.

"Should we ask him about it later on?" NATO asked.

"Maybe."

South Korea POV

I was walking home with America. We were talking about everything that has happened during school today.

"This has got to be the most drama filled day." America said.

"No, there were other days that had more drama than this. For example, remember when Japan lost his manga collection, or when Soviet got into a fight with Egypt because she punched Russia and made fun of him, or when Britian was freaking out because he lost France on a field trip, or when Third Reich got stuck on the roof, or when-"

"South."

"Oh, sorry. But you get what I mean."

"Yeah, that and..." America grabbed my arm to stop me from walking and pointed behind us. There was a person wearing gray pants, gray shoes, gray everything. They had a hoodie on and their head was down so I couldn't see their face.

This person looked creepy enough, but what set me on edge was that they were walking toward us.

Calm down, South. Wherever we're going probably just so happens to be where they're going. I took a deep breath and told America what I told myself.

"Yeah, probably."

America and I continued walking but we weren't talking. We were listening closely and looking around just in case we needed to run somewhere, and when. I'd be lying if I said we weren't nervous.

"They're still following us!" America whispered to me.

I glanced back and sure enough, the person was still following us. We had been walking in silence for a few minutes, my nervousness was building up. "Keep walking." I instructed.

America and I kept walking in silence. We were able to hear the person's footsteps as they walked a fair distance behind us. America was panicking but he tried to look like he wasn't. I don't know why he was trying to do that but I was panicking too.

We heard the sound of footsteps speeding up. I quickly glanced behind me and saw the person was speeding up. "Cross the street." I told America.

"Why?"

"Now."

We crossed the street and the person followed us. We crossed the street again and they followed us, again.

"Okay, they are definitely following us." I whispered to America, my nervousness through the roof.

"What do they want with two male countries coming back from high school?"

"How am I supposed to know?"

Suddenly, the person's footsteps slowed.

They were walking at the same pace we were.

And they were closer.

I glanced behind me again and yup, they were at least 30 feet behind us now, if not closer. "They're closer!" I whispered, panicking. Sweat ran down my face.

"Uh...do what I do."

America and I sped up our walking pace, the person did the same. We slowed our walking pace, the person did the same.

"Okay, I'm out of ideas." America sighed.

I saw Moldova walk out of her house. I hadn't realized we had been walking for so long and aren't in either of our neighborhoods. Nevertheless, someone's there.

"Hey, look! Moldova's there." I told America.

He nodded. "I saw her, too."

"Let's-"

Before I could finish my sentence I heard quick running behind us. I felt a rush of adrenaline and grabbed America's arm and sprinted toward Moldova, who was going inside now.

"Moldova! Moldova! Moldova!" I screamed.

Moldova turned to us with confusion in her eyes. I heard the person behind us stop running but I continued to sprint with America towards Moldova.

Once we reached her America quickly told her what had happened. She looked at the hoodied person who was walking away now. She squinted and frowned. She turned back to us and said, "Come inside."

America and I entered Moldova's house. She had us sit on the couch while she went to the kitchen. America and I were busy collecting our thoughts and catching our breath to really pay attention to what Moldova was yelling.

"România unde mi-ai pus telefonul?!" (Romania where did you put my phone?!)

"Cine a spus că l-am luat?" (Who said I took it?)

"Ești singura altă persoană din casă!" (You're the only other person in the house!)

"Ce zici de Ciad?!" (What about Chad?!)

"Chad locuiește în Africa împreună cu prietenii săi de două luni!" (Chad is living in Africa with his friends for two months!)

"Însă nu înseamnă că îl am!" (Still doesn't mean I have it!)

"România, mai bine îmi văd telefonul pe această masă de bucătărie într-o oră sau îți voi bate fundul!" (Romania, I better see my phone on this kitchen table in an hour or I will beat your butt!)

Moldova walked back in holding two glasses of water. "Drink up, you must be thirsty."

America and I gulped down the water and thanked her. "What were you yelling about?" America asked her.

Moldova rolled her eyes. "My phone was missing from where I placed it; Romania most likely took it."

I raised a brow. "Where's Russia and the rest of your siblings?"

Moldova burst out laughing. America and I shared a confused glance. "What? Aren't you siblings with Russia and the rest of them?"

"Oh, no! I am in no way related to Russia or any of his siblings."

"But weren't you under Soviet's control all those years ago?" America asked.

Moldova frowned. "Just because I was under his rule doesn't mean I'm his child. Same goes to Poland, he's not Soviet's son either, and he was under Soviet rule as well."

"S-sorry."

Moldova rolled her eyes but her frown disappeared. "Do you have siblings?" I asked her.

She nodded. "Two. I'm the oldest, Romania is the middle child, and also the annoying one, and then Chad, the youngest, who is also the nicest."

"So you, Romania, and Chad aren't related to Russia or his siblings in any way?" I asked.

"Correct."

"Wait, if Chad is the nicest, and Romania is annoying, what makes you?" America asked.

"The strict, mean, tough one, or so Chad and Romania say."

I nodded. "Where is Chad anyway?"

"He's in Africa with his friends."

"How do you tell the two apart?"

"Oh, it's simple. They both wear totally different clothes, Chad speaks French, Arabic (he likes to call it Chadian Arabic), and English, while Romania speaks Romanian and English, and Chad is shorter than Romania, about the size of you and you're brother, South."

"So you're the tallest."

"About. Romania is just an inch shorter, but he sure is weaker."

I went silent. "Hey Moldova?"

"Yes?"

"What's your opinion on North Korea?"

"Well-"

"Be honest."

America glanced at me before turning back to Moldova. "Well," Moldova started, leaning on the couch. "he's really interesting in my book. Sure, he might get a bad rep because of his entire nuclear program and other things, but I kinda like him."

I nodded. "What would you do if I told you that your brother among others is bullying him?"

Moldova went silent. "Which one."

"Romania."

"Excuse me for a sec."

Moldova walked to the staircase and quietly marched up. America turned back to me. "Dude, what the heck? What was that?"

I shrugged. "Just wanna see what she does."

"Don't you know the bullying will get worst because of that?!" America kept his voice down to a whisper for some reason.

"It will get worse either way, Ame. And last time I checked, you didn't care for North."

"Well, I don't but-"

"But what?"

America stared at me. I looked down at the floor. "I just want to help him, but I know anything I do will make it worse." I clenched my hands into fists. "Seeing at least one of the bullies in pain or getting yelled at eases me, but it's never enough."

I turned back to America with tears in my eyes. "I just want to help, but I don't know how!"

"South...I..." America closed his eyes and sighed. He put a hand on mine. "Look, I know I may not act like it...but I'm worried, too." He looked at his hands. "I feel guilty, like it's my fault he's even going through this... I try to tell myself it's not and that he means nothing to me, but the feeling is always there."

He covered his face with his hands. "What's happening to me?"

I hugged him, and he didn't hesitate to hug me back. We both wanted it. We both needed it.

We pulled apart when we heard loud shouts from upstairs. They were all in...Romanian? I think one of our teachers said the countries Moldova and Romania both speak Romanian.

The shouting was getting louder, and pretty soon it sounded like they were screaming at each other. Then me and America heard a SLAP! and a thud.

Third Person POV

Romania lay on the floor of his room with a slap on his cheek and probably a bruised arm. He stared with fear at his furious older sister as she scowled at him.

Moldova began to walk forward and Romania flinched. She crouched down beside him and hissed, "O să-i intimidați pe nimeni din nou, va fi mai rău decât asta. Mă înțelegeți? (You bully anyone ever again, it's gonna be worst than this. You understand me?)"

Romania stared wide-eyed at his sister.

"Mă înțelegi? (Do you understand me?)" Moldova repeated in a more threatening voice.

Romania nodded quickly. Moldova smiled, but it scared Romania even more. "Bun. (Good.)"

Moldova stood up and left the room.

South Korea POV

Moldova walked back down the stairs, but I felt anger when I looked at her. Her eyes were blazing but she gave me and America a happy smile. "I think it's time for you guys to go home. America, I'm sure your parents are worried."

America looked at the time on his phone. "Right, thanks for letting us inside."

"Yes, thank you Moldova." I said.

"No problem."

As America and I left I heard Moldova grumble something to herself, but I heard a word that sounded like Romania so I assume she grumbled about him. America and I walked to the Asian neighborhood. "You sure you wanna drop me off? I can always stay the night at your place." I told America.

"No need, I have a gun." He replied.

"Why the heck do you have a gun?"

"What do you mean? I always have one handy."

"Why didn't you just pull it out when that person was following us then?"

"I panicked, alright."

I playfully rolled my eyes. I changed the subject to countries and we chatted until we reached my house. I pulled out my keys and walked to my front door. "Bye Ame!"

"Bye South!"

I unlocked my door and stepped in. I closed it and locked it again and hung my key up on a little rack I had nearby. (Do people hang keys on racks? My family does.)

I walked up the stairs and into my room. I took a quick shower and then changed into my pajamas. I wasn't sleepy but I also didn't want to play k-Pop... Hmmm.....

I'll just browse social media, like America always does when he's bored.

Russia POV

My siblings and I sat outside our fathers room in the chairs they had set up for us. I had cried so much the past week I didn't even think I had tears anymore. But alas, I still did. As expected, tears rolled down my face as we waited. I didn't make any noise for some reason. I wanted to make sounds, but I couldn't. Oh well.

I covered my face with my hands and sighed. "You alright, Russia?" Belarus asked me.

"Do I look alright? Is anyone here alright? You tell me Bel."

I didn't mean to be mean to Belarus. I was anxious and upset and my emotions were a mess. Heck, my emotions have been a mess ever since they took Soviet here. Still, that was a stupid question.

Belarus sighed and hugged me. "Я таксама засмучаны. Я проста...спрабую дапамагчы табе адчуваць сябе лепш. Вы ў апошні час былі далёкія. (I'm upset, too. I'm just...trying to help you feel better. You've been distant lately.)"

More tears fell from my eyes and I let out a choked sob. I hugged Belarus back. "Прости... Я просто...Я...спасибо... (I-I'm sorry... I just...I...thank you...)"

"Калі ласка... (You're welcome...)" Belarus was barely able to finish her sentence before letting out her own choked sob.

Somehow, Belarus and I didn't start sobbing right then and there. We were crying, but managed to keep it quiet. Georgia stood up and walked over to me and Belarus. He sat beside me and placed his hand on my back.

After a few minutes I pulled away from Belarus and wiped my eyes. "Th-Thanks..."

Belarus nodded but Georgia didn't move. His hand remained on my back. I took a deep breath and looked at him. "Грузия? (Georgia?)"

Georgia jumped and looked back at me. "Um... დიახ, რუსეთი? (Yes, Russia?)"

"Ты помнишь, когда я говорил, что ненавидел тебя все эти годы назад? (Do you remember when I told you I hated you all those years ago?)"

Georgia looked away. "დიახ...მაგრამ მე მესმის, რომ ეს ჩემი ბრალი იყო. (Yes...but I understand it was my fault.)"

"Ну...прости... (Well...I'm sorry...)"

Georgia stared at me in shock. He sadly chuckled. "Почему ты смеешься..? (Why are you laughing..?)" I asked him.

Why was he laughing? This is the worst time to do so. Georgia covered half of his face and turned to me, tears streaming down his cheeks. "შენ იდიოტი ხარ...ეს ჩემი ბრალია...ბოდიში უნდა გიხადო... (You idiot... It's my fault... I should be apologizing to you...)" He turned away smiling, but I knew he wasn't happy in the slightest. "ჩემი სულელური დუნდულა ძალიან მეშინოდა რომ მომიახლოვდებოდა... ბოდიში მომიხადა... ძალიან მეშინოდა ბოდიში მომიხადა ბოდიში, ახლა კი არ ვიცი გავიქცე თუ არა ოდესმე ამის შანსი... (My stupid butt was too afraid to approach you...to apologize to you... I was too afraid to apologize to Dad, and now I don't know if I'll ever get the chance...)"

I hugged him. I felt tears run down faster than they had before. "Я прощаю тебя...старший брат... (I forgive you...big brother...)" I barely managed to finish the sentence.

Georgia hugged me back and cried. I felt my siblings looking at us, and they all were happy we had made up. We pulled apart and I looked at him. "Я уверен, что папа простит тебя, он скучает по тебе, ты знаешь. (I'm sure Dad will forgive you, he misses you, you know.)"

"He...he does?"

I nodded. "У него все еще есть твой любимый шарф. (He still has your favorite scarf.)"

"ჰ-ის აკეთებს? (H-He does?)"

"Да. (Yes)"

"წითელი? (The red one?)"

"Он никогда не избавлялся от этого. (He never got rid of it.)"

Georgia smiled the first smile I had seen from him in years. I couldn't help but smile back. I looked at my other siblings and they were all smiling as well. There was finally positivity in the air for once.

One of the doctors inside Soviet's room opened the door, followed by others. My smile disappeared and I walked up to him. "I-Is he okay?" I asked.

I couldn't read his expression. "He's awake." He said, and then he walked away.

I was confused for a second until I realized what he said. SOVIET WAS AWAKE!

Without a moments hesitation I entered the room with my siblings close behind me. Soviet looked at us as we came in and weakly smiled.

I ran to his side and held his hand. "Папа are you okay? Are...are you better? When are you coming home?"

"Russ, what have I told you about questions?"

I smiled warmly at him. "Don't ask too many."

"But hey, who's stopping you?" Estonia blurted out.

We all laughed. Soviet managed to laugh for a second before having to stop. I wore a worried look on my face, like I did everyday. "How's the headache..?"

"N-Not any better..." Soviet sighed. "But hey, I-I'm awake.."

"Not any better? But you don't look like you did when they took you..." Kazakhstan said, his wings starting to droop.

"M-Medicine..." Soviet murmered.

"Dad, perhaps you should stop talking. It seems like you're using your energy..." Ukraine suggested.

"I'm alright..." Soviet said, raising his voice so he wasn't murmering.

Georgia stepped forward. Soviet's eyes widened when he saw him. "Грузия? (Georgia?)"

"Hi Dad..."

Soviet looked away, his expression nervous. Georgia took a deep breath. "I-I wanted to say sorry..."

Soviet would've whipped his head back around if he didn't have such a bad headache. Still, his movement to look at Georgia was pretty quick. "Huh?"

"I wanted to say sorry," Georgia repeated. "for everything. I shouldn't have treated you that way... Kazakhstan's text brought me back to my senses."

Soviet stared at Georgia for a few moments. Georgia started shifting his weight from foot to foot, and he was messing with his fingers.

Soviet gave out a short laugh. "Who's the nervous country now?"

Georgia looked back at him. Soviet smiled the best he could in his weak state. "Of course I forgive you."

Georgia hugged Soviet and Soviet hugged him back. "I thought I wouldn't get the chance to apologize..." Georgia murmered.

Soviet continued to hug the son he lost so long ago. Georgia pulled away and they both were smiling. Belarus let out a giggle. We all turned to her. "Тата (Dad), you should've seen Russia and Georgia in the hallway. They finally made up, it was so adorable yet so sad at the same time."

"Almost cheesy." Ukraine said.

Again, we all laughed.

We stayed there for a while, my siblings joking around and telling Soviet things that happened in school, and when I told him North Korea and China were dating he said this: "Finally, I shipped them for the longest time."

We all laughed at that.

But of course, all good times must come to end.

Azerbaijan had just said a fantastic joke, it had us all laughing. Soviet couldn't even stop. My stupid self payed no mind to it.

All of sudden, Soviet started coughing up blood.

All the smiles that had existed disappeared. Soviet was coughing violently, and shaking all over.

"Tėtis! Tėtis! Tėti tau viskas gerai?! Tėtis! (Dad! Dad! Dad are you okay?! Dad!)" Lithuania called out.

Once Soviet stopped coughing he weakly opened his eyes. "I-I..."

"Папа you'll be okay, r-right?" I asked him. I was panicking, I didn't know what to do. Ukraine and Estonia had already ran out to find a doctor.

Soviet tried talking but only stuttered. I couldn't make out a single word. Tears streamed down my cheeks now and I was constantly asking if he was okay. He eventually mustered enough strength to just barely shake his head.

Every single one of my siblings was panicking. Ukraine and Estonia weren't back with a doctor yet, and a few more had rushed out. I was frozen in place staring as my father struggled to speak.

Soviet reached his hand out to me. I grabbed it and held it. "Y-You're gonna b-be okay папа..." I told him.

I don't think I convinced him at all. I wasn't even convincing myself! Soviet and I both had tears streaming down our cheeks as we stared at each other.

After two minutes of things being like this, Soviet squeezed my hand the best he could. He barely managed to smile.

What he said next made my blood run cold and my heart break.

"I-I l-lo-love y-you a-and th-the-them..."

He fell unconscious at the same time doctors busted in through the door.