The Lonely Sunflower (Hetalia Russia Story)

Pain Ends

"Yes, it's me. You're just now realizing this? After I've practically beat you to the point of human death? How pathetic. I hope now you realize how you've made me feel."

Ivan coughed, weakly staring up at the hate filled Estonian. Why did his past always come back to punish him? No matter what, things would start getting better but only to be torn back down by his horrific past and actions. People made mistakes. It was a common thing, right? Then why was he always getting punished? Everyone made them and everyone around him seemed to never have to live with those scars, but him... those scars never fully heal. They always came back one way or another.

"I-I'm sorry." Ivan managed to gasp out through his labored breathes. Tears slid down his bloody cheeks as he stared up at Eduard. The look on his face resembled a child, a confused child unsure of what they did wrong. Ivan didn't know what he did wrong this time. He had apologized. He was nicer to people. He wasn't mean and cruel as he was before. That was good, right? Then why was this happening?

"Sorry? It's a little too late for that, Mr. Russia." Eduard spat, his grip on Ivan's front tightening. The Russian winced as he was jerked close to the Estonian's face. "Your apology is years too late. Years of your constant punishments and your constant harm. You... and all your ways of 'learning'. You and all your chores and work! All your intimidation! All that fear you caused me!" Ivan flinched at every statement that was shouted at him. Each one ringing against his ears. He wanted it all to stop.

"I- " Ivan was about to say something else but was cut short as he felt the ground suddenly crash against his side.

"What, aren't you going to punish me, Mr. Russia?" Eduard sneered, kicking Ivan sharply on his back. A cunning smile curled the edges of his lips as he looked over the whimpering Russian. This. This was what he wanted. He wanted to be the one over looking his tormentor; to be the dominant one. He wanted to be the one feared and have Ivan cower before him. That is what Eduard wanted. Was this a good thing of him to do? No. Did he think this was good; the right thing? Yes. Hmm, quite interesting, isn't it?

"Come on! I'm disobeying you!" Eduard said, a light laugh escaping his lips. Ivan yelped as another kick bruised his back once more. No reaction came from the Russian. All he did was curl up even more, praying for the kicks and hits to end. "Aren't you going to punish me?"

"N-Nyet..." Ivan choked, coughing out some blood. He stared down at the blood dripping onto the carpeted floor before him, violet eyes blinking in and out of focus.

Despite all of what Ivan did, he was still being hurt. This was no different than the day Eduard held that gun up to him. He was still greeted by pain and still haunted by his past actions. But, this time he knew what he was doing wrong. Now he was trying to fix his mistakes and make everything right. That was all going well, right? He apologized. He didn't hurt anymore. He was good. If he was doing what was right... why was this happening? It didn't make sense.

"Ha! You should see how weak you look!" Eduard exclaimed, his kicks being continuous now. "You look so pathetic! Do you feel this, Ivan? Do you feel what I'm doing? This is what you did to me! I'm merely returning the favor."

He couldn't take it. Ivan could already feel himself slipping into that death like state nations had. Everything was muffled and he could barely keep his vision focused. What would happen next? What now? When he regains consciousness again, will he awake to be hurt one more? The man didn't know. Anything could happen when you look at the circumstances- and when 'anything' is stated, it means anything bad.

Suddenly, Ivan felt the kicks stop. His body was left untouched. Was Eduard done? The Russian cracked open his eyes a bit, blurred movement happening about around where he lied. His mind was spinning and everything seemed surreal. Muffled voices were barely audible around him, no words being made clear to his ears.

Aching bones. Bruised skin. Dripping blood. Tear stained face. All of that was associated with the Russian. Countless years of this torment, countless times he had to go through this. Sometimes it was with his boss, sometimes it was with enemies, now it was with an old friend- or believed-to-be-a-friend-but-actually-was-not. Nonetheless, this always happened. It always did. That fact couldn't be emphasized enough for now, after this, Ivan had burnt that into his mind. Pain was eternal. It never went away. There was no escape from the past-

Suddenly, Ivan felt someone slide their hands underneath him, causing him to flinch. Was this Eduard? Was he back to hurt him even further? Ivan let out a shaky whimper as he felt the person haul him up from the ground.

"Sh, Ivan, it's okay." Ivan felt himself relax slightly as he realized who was touching him. Weak violet eyes wandered up to meet gentle blue ones that had soft blonde hair falling before them. Francis looked down at the wounded Russian, adjusting his hold he had on the man.

"F-Francis..." Ivan choked out, relieved tears falling down his cheeks. Francis smiled slightly to reassure the man before looking about around him. The Russian looked over as well, trying his best to steady his hazy vision.

Eduard was pinned down to the floor, held down by Alfred. Arthur and Toris were on the side trying to calm a distraught Latvian. They were all here. His friends. He wasn't alone. Before when something like this happened, he would be left in solitude. But now, now there was someone here to save him. Someone here to aid him. He wasn't alone.

"Someone help me get Ivan out of here!" Francis exclaimed to the others. More nations began to file out of the meeting room upon hearing the ruckus outside. "He needs to be aided to!"

Ivan felt his eyes grow heavy and the energy being drained from his body. They were actually going to help him. He wasn't alone. Maybe there was an end to all this pain...

"I got it. Bring him to car, aru. I have lots room in there due to catering food." A voice responded to Francis' exclamation, making Ivan's head turn. He looked over to see Yao standing before them, eyebrows furrowed. The Chinese man returned the Russian's gaze. There was a certain look to his eyes that gave off a certain feel. Forgiveness? Even? Okay? Something that reassured Ivan that things with Yao were okay now. It all was okay now.

"Oui, okay. Angleterre! You drive." Francis began to briskly walk towards the entrance of the building with some of the others behind him. Ivan rested his head against the Frenchman's chest, barely hanging onto consciousness. This feeling. Francis holding him close in his arms. Yao suggesting and helping into getting him to safety. Alfred taking down the man who did this to him. This overall feeling to all of this. Was this... Did this mean... everything was okay now?

Before any more thoughts could pass through his head, Ivan felt the world around him sway one more time before he felt himself slip down into darkness.

"Hang on, Ivan. You're going to be okay."

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Author's Note:

Hey! I am very very very sorry for the late update. Things happened in my personal life and I haven't had time nor energy to write. But! I'm back now. So, here's the second to last chapter of this fanfic. Yes, the next chapter will be the last J

Anyways, sorry if this was crappy. I was just trying my best to get something out there, haha.

Please leave me your feedback in the comments/reviews! I love to hear them!