𝑫𝑬𝑨𝑫 𝑨𝑳𝑰𝑽𝑬《 Philippines CountryHumans AU 》

xxv.

"I..."

If I refuse... will The Second Philip take over my body?

Philip's mind blanked, and for a moment, everything went still. His surroundings slowly faded into a haze of colors before turning pitch black. A ringing in his ears was enough for Philip to snap into reality.

Will I go back home if he gains control?

Or will I stay here, forever trapped in a body that I'l never be able to move?

That was worse than being dragged back to the confines of his home by Martial, because everything he'd done up until now would be absolutely useless if his parallel forcefully takes over.

Everything would come crumbling down.

An image popped into his mind, and his eyes widen ever so slightly.

When he was back at the plane, looking out the window and the fact that he was above the clouds.

Even when the glass of the window was there to separate him from it, he felt so free.

So alive.

I want to be free, Philip thought, and his heart tightens. I want to live.

His surroundings fade back into reality, and Russia is in front of him. Philip set his mug down, standing up as a shaky breath escaped his lips. The other male followed as well, wondering if this meant 'yes'.

Wondering if Philip could finally be safe.

"Philip?" Russia frowned, watching as the country he'd practically begged to stay stared at him dead in the eye.

"I can't," Philip whispers and looks away, voice barely audible and yet, somehow, it rings loudly in the taller country's ear.

Pang.

Russia's heart, closed off to anyone else yet open for Philip to trample on whenever he liked, had been crushed.

Pang.

His chest tighetened, and for a moment, Russia considered knocking his sunshine out just to bring him back.

But wouldn't that ruin the trust you spent so long building? A tiny voice echoed in his mind. You'd be no better than Martial.

Philip watched as Russia's expression, the ruthless war strategist who was merciless when it came to killing, broke.

"You can't go to Italy. I'm telling you! Martial's there!" Russia practically pleads, stepping forward. He seemed to have dismissed the idea of being 'desperate' and was set solely on getting the country to stay.

Philip, who'd been avoiding eye contact the entire time, whipped his head to face him. "What?"

"Martial's in Italy. All his allies already scanned the entirety of Europe and confirmed you weren't there!" Russia exclaimed, hands going up to tightly grasp Philip's shoulders. "You have to go to my country. Or else— or else you'll get caught!"

Philip narrowed his eyes, roughly shoving his arms away. "What if it's a trap? What would happen if they ambush me there, when I go with you?! You're working for him, Russia, aren't you?"

"What?! No— Listen!—"

"I don't trust you, Russia!" The country yelled, pointing an accusing finger at him. Russia's mind blanked. "I don't want to trust you. Everyone up until now has betrayed me, one way or another. America? Sold me out to Martial. Mexico? Sold me out to Martial. UK? Sold me out to Martial! Spain? Sold me out to Martial!!"