Book 3 - Retrievers

IV - Heart Break

Russia leans his face into his knees, ignoring the questions around him. He sinks a little more into himself, and his thoughts spin.

'What am I going to do?'

He sees someone walk up to him and he ignores it.

"Russ?"

Russia looks up and wipes his face. He sees Texas standing in front of him. Russia scowls and looks away.

"Hey, are you okay?" Texas asks, sitting in front of Russia.

Russia doesn't answer. Texas sighs.

"Listen, I ain't mad, I promise."

'Right...'

"We... heard the yellin' while y'all were fightin'," Texas says, looking away and rubbing the back of his neck, "I know Dixie is quick to pick sides, but... why were y'all fighting?"

Russia sighs and determinately stares at the ground.

"My brother, Ukraine, was captured," Russia starts, "and Mer-... America said that he would help me save him."

"Yeah, I remember that," Texas comments.

"He backed out of it," Russia finished bitterly.

There is a moment of quiet.

"Well... if it means anything, I'll still go with you," Texas volunteers.

Russia nods, though he isn't sure if he will accept the offer. Texas sits in front of him for a few more minutes before quietly getting up and retreating to the other side of the room.

Russia's chest aches and he feels his anger churn. He scowls and stares at the wall with a harsh glare.

Russia pulls off his hat, and he pulls Katya out of the pocket. He roughly handles it and stares into its glass eyes.

'Destroy it.'

He resists the urge, but his hands shake with rage and emotions burn in his throat.

'Throw it.'

Russia shakes his head and squeezes it in his hand.

'No, I don't want to do anything stupid.'

Russia sighs and wipes the tears that had escaped. His heart squeezes tight in his chest. Russia covers his mouth to hide his cries.

'It hurts. So bad...'

'I want to fix it... but Ukraine... I can't...'

"It's weird seeing the strong Russian Federation crying," Finland teases.

Russia's head shoots up and he hastily wipes his tears away.

"What about it?" Russia snaps.

"Hey, calm down," Finland says, sitting next to him, "I just want to talk."

Russia moves over and Finland makes herself comfortable.

"So, what now?" Finland asks.

"What?"

"We are stuck here, and the atmosphere is suffocating us," Finland comments, "and it's very strange to see you so upset."

"I... there isn't much I can do," Russia admits, and the anger rushes out, giving way to sadness, "I can't give up on Ukraine. I can't."

"And you shouldn't," Finland says.

Russia stares, surprised, and Finland meets his gaze and then laughs.