Hetalian Protectors

New Snow

Aridan had Russia, the Three Baltic Nations, Poland, Belarus, and Ukraine.

*****

Aridan's POV: As Kyoko's hands rose and the usual green light filled the room I tried to keep my eyes on Natalia as we had a stare down, her slightly taller form standing between me and Ivan. I felt my teeth grind together as I impatiently fought down the urge to growl at her. All I wanted to do was properly greet them, but no, Natalia just has to be overprotective. Natalia's dark blue eyes were tinted with a dangerous glare and I glared right back with just as much force. Why must things get difficult...?

I was jarred from my staring contest as the familiar lurching motions began, causing me to watch, rather amused too I might add, as Natalia's foreboding form stumbled backwards. My enjoyment was short lived however as she toppled right into the person I wanted her to stay away from, if just for a second. Ivan.

Ivan's face scrunched into a mix of fear and concern as he fell onto his back, his arms encircling Natalia's body. I could make out Ivan's body shaking as he checked Natalia's body, his fingers unsteady but sure as he focused on his little sister. Irunya ran forward, her face showing nothing but alarm, "Belarus, are you okay?!" Even the three Baltic Nations and Feliks looked distressed.

I felt a strike of shame burn through me. I shouldn't be fighting with her... At least not right now. She, along with Ivan and the others, probably felt really out of place right now. They did just find out that they're being targeted by The League and that making a country is possible. Natalia has a good reason to be worried about Ivan. They don't know that I wouldn't hurt them. Another pang ran through my heart, but this one was more...familiar? Is that the correct word? It just doesn't seem to fit...

I started to step forward, Ivan's, Irunya's, and Natalia's heads all snapping back up at my sudden movement. I sighed at the looks of distrust on their faces, which was clearly evident. I stopped moving and bent down, letting myself fall to my knees in front of them. Looks of pure confusion washed over their eyes, covering their suspicion with curiosity. I gave them a smile, trying my best to comfort them.

"Sorry about the really...quick introduction. I know it must be hard, trying to adjust in such a short time." I sighed and stretched out my hand. "I wanted to reintroduce myself since we were in a really interesting situation earlier. I didn't want us to get off on the wrong foot, but it seems that may have already happened. That would be my fault. Sorry." They all blinked really slowly, then let their gazes fall to my hand, then brought them back up to my face. They seemed utterly bewildered.

"Aren't you... afraid of us?" Natalia's question didn't really surprise me. Everyone knew that this group of countries was rather...extreme. I didn't see how they could judge them like that though! They were just mistreated growing up and now they don't know how to trust. I understand.

I giggled and shook my head, watching as their eyes registered complete uncertainty. "Of course I'm not afraid of you! I could never be! If I was just like everyone else... God, it scares me just thinking about it!" I released a short laugh and gave them a ecstatic smile. "I wouldn't have chosen you guys if I was scared of you, would I?"

Ivan and Natalia gave each other strange looks and I grinned wider. "I know you don't trust me now, but I hope we can get past that soon." I stood back up and reached out my hand. "Here, let me help you up." Natalia stared at my hand for a moment, then turned her head away. I think I saw a small blush and she practically jumped to her feet. I kept my hand extended for Ivan.

His eyes searched mine quizzically for a long instant and I didn't look away for even a second. Ivan's violet eyes widened and his hand gradually grasped my own, enveloping my hand in a strong warmth. He was wearing gloves but I swear, it felt like we were skin to skin. I gently pulled him up, trying hard not to let my face turn red.

A sudden jerk made me realize just how long we'd been sitting there. I looked around to see that the green space seemed to be speeding up and passing by at an increasingly fast pace. I felt Ivan's grip tighten around my own. "What's going on?"

"Well, we're almost at my house." Ivan, Natalia, and Irunya gave me incredulous looks just as a bright light wrapped around us.

*Tiny Time Skip*

Russia's POV: The first thing that hit me was the cold. Mind you, I live and breath the cold, so I wasn't really bothered, but something was worrying me non the less. The cold that I'm used to is just what it sounds like: cold and emotionless, hard. This cold was different though. It felt really...warm. It felt like how people described coming home after a long time.

Aridan's hand was still clasped in mine and I didn't let go even after my vision had cleared. I felt my breath hitch slightly at the sight before me. All around us was a white expanse of what seemed to be nothing, but every now and then I could make out a tree or a bush, their brown bark showing starkly against the white snow. A strong wind was passing, carrying snow around in little swirls of cold snowflakes. It was, in my opinion, very beautiful.

In front of us was a mansion, seemingly two stories, built of blackish red bricks that blended in darkly with its stark surroundings. The roof was slanted, to prevent to much weight from the snow from building up. The windows were drawn closed by curtains from the inside, but soft light still glowed through the outwardly thin fabric. My mouth dropped open somewhat as Aridan marched forward, not even minding the nearly three feet deep snow, until she stood outlined by the huge house.

Her brown hair had flakes of snow stuck here or there, like friends welcoming her home after a long while. Her cheeks had developed a red hue from the cold, giving her otherwise pale face some color. A large, warm smile was planted across her face, and she seemed to stand taller, like she was more at ease now. Her eyes glowed with a new-found confidence, which lit up as a howl sounded off in the distance. She looked, if anything, like a fiercer, sturdier version of what I had already seen of her. Something in my chest seemed to throb for a moment.

Aridan beamed at us, and I just now noticed that she was still holding onto my hand, "Welcome to Otsana. I hope you'll like it here."

Somehow I knew I would. Somehow.