I, Deutschland

3. Hope

"Well!" the UN smiled as he gently pushed open the office door, ducking elegantly through the frame. "Have you all been ok?"

Immediately, France burst into a spiel about how lovely I was, complaining about my quietness while America nodded along, throwing comments about how much of an 'adorable little guy' I was. Fury bubbled within me at their whining and drivel, but I knew better than to lash out. I'd be out of there soon enough...

Cutting France off, the UN next turned to me, asking in his sweetest tone, "Have you made your choice?"

Nodding, I rose to my feet, fully aware that I was shaking like a leaf as I tiptoed across the room. I could feel the expecting gazes of all four of them boring into me as I stood beside the UK, my eyes never leaving the floor, glued by some unknown shame or fear that I still can't explain.

"Me?" Britain whispered, rather surprised at my decision, though smiling at me sincerely. I simply nodded, gazing at her and wondering why all the parental figures in my life happened to be serial killers. Nevertheless, she was easily the most understanding and least... needy of my three options, plus I felt that if America was to care for me, I would probably die within a week.

"What a lovely moment!" the United Nations beamed, clearly happy with my decision. "France, USA, could you please step outside a moment?"

Complying in the most irritable way imaginable, the two dragged themselves outside, both shooting me disappointed glances as they left. Motioning for me to sit in one of the now vacant chairs, the UN took his place at his desk. He handed around the biscuits left there earlier, and though I took one, I mostly just crushed it between my fingers, unable to bring myself to eat due to the series of backflips my stomach was doing.

"Good luck," the UN began, his smile shrinking slightly, "I don't have any files on allergies or medical information for West Germany, so I advise that you both be careful food-wise... I'm sure you'll grow to be close, but you'll need to be patient with each other. This is a massive change for you both, and if there's any problems, I'll be available. That's all I really have, other than a very... questionable will from the Third Reich, which I will pass on to your capitals rather than to you both directly. Questions?"

"Can I see East?" I whispered, tears immediately sparking in my eyes.

"I'm afraid that's not up to me," the UN sighed, "But I'll speak to the USSR about it."

Glancing over at my tearful state, Britain added in an almost defensive tone, "What about Berlin?"

"Now that can definitely be arranged. He's staying with the USSR at the moment, however I believe that as he is an adult, he is allowed to visit at his own merit," UN grinned. That gave me a spark of hope; I had someone back... I still had the person that I trusted the most in the world, even if I only saw him occasionally. Through my tears, I smiled again, absorbed in my thoughts while Britain asked the final few questions about clothes, bedrooms, other nations etc, a bunch of details that I couldn't have found more dull if I tried. Somehow, none of the finer points mattered to me anymore, I just wanted my old life back, though admittedly minus the constant genocides and/or abuse.

"Are you ready?" Britain finally asked, turning to me and offering her hand. Silently, I stood up, not taking it out of pure suspicion and exhaustion. Accepting this, she lead me outside, keeping a close eye on me as she brought me towards her car, which I climbed into with all the enthusiasm of a wet cat that had been asked to fetch a tennis ball. Not allowing herself to be discouraged, Britain let herself into the driver's side, starting the car and turning on the radio, which I listened to intently, completely in awe of the idea of foreign pop music, much to the UK's amusement I suspect.

At that moment, I began to think that perhaps this wouldn't be so bad...