Hetalia | Time-Cut

| Chapter IX |

South Korea was at his house when he received a call from Russia.

The Korean was munching on pretzels, sprawled out on the couch while feverishly tapping the X-Box Controller. Lazy could be described by the South Korean right now. His suit and tie was undone and his tie was loose, his black jacket part of the suit was laying on the top of the couch. South Korea yanked his body up, and yelled. "Hey, Da-ze! I was so close-"

The phone rings, and South Korea sighed, pressing the pause button on the controller and tossing it to the side. "This game obviously was originated in Japan, da-ze. My games at least play fair." He picks up the phone and holds it to his ear by his shoulder, walking over to pick up the controller. "Hello, this is Im Yong Soo from the Best Korea, how can I help you?"

"This is Russia." The Russian's voice made South Korea's jaw drop.

"Er.. wrong number?"

"Nyte. Did you see your brother lately?"

"No, he should be in the hospital. I was... just about to visit?" South Korea grabbed his coat and replaced his shoulder with his hand, holding it close to his ear.

Russia's voice faltered. "I took him out of the hospital." Russia's voice was quiet and weak. South Korea paused, his jaw opening.

"What?"

"You're not deaf." The Russian said in a sharp tone. "He was feeling much better after our trip to this circus."

"Da-ze! Damnit, Ivan, do you even know what you have done?" Demanded South Korea, his voice a small huff in the phone. "We were secretly guarding him! You know he'll freak out if he finds out we were guarding him!"

Russia's breath quickened on the phone. "What were you protecting him from?" The Russian Demanded.

South Korea's voice fell, and he closed his eyes, allowing his body to fall against the wall and lean against it. Running a hand through his hair, he sighed. "I... I don't know." He Mumbled. "China told me and Japan, and he was worried and frantic..." He trails off. "I don't know..."

"I can find him." Russia suggested. "I'll protect him."

"Are you sure?" South Korea pursed his lips. He didn't trust Russia. Not at all.

"Of course. I am Mother Russia after all." Russia scoffed in the phone, then hung up before South Korea could protest.

South Korea slammed the phone down and groaned, burying his face into his hands. Russia could end up killing North Korea. Nations can do that, after all. He knew he shouldn't like North Korea, after everything the Male has done to him, but he couldn't.
-
Fire crackled around South Korea, his eyes wide and his body trembling. His body wanted to fall, due to the smoke that gathered into his lungs and sat there like a log. The male couldn't move, instead he watched as another tall structure of a tower crumble before him.

His voice was trembling, and his eyes watered as smoke clawed at them. He turned around frantically, his hands in fists and his body posed for battle.

"Hello, brother." North Korea's voice breathes into his ear close by, making him grit his teeth and stiffen up.

"Why are you doing this?" South Korea asked sharply, not bothering to turn his head. He could feel a sharp knife tickle his neck, and he didn't dare to swallow, fearing his Adam's apple was going to accidentally get cut by the knife.

South Korea could hear North Korea pretend to pout. "That's not a nice way to welcome your own twin brother."

"Some brother you are." South Korea scoffed. "Burning down your older brother's home."

North Korea stayed quiet, but a sharp laugh made South Korea wince. "Can't you see I'm doing this for you, for us? I want us to be united, forever and until the end." North Korea said in a soft tone, and South Korea had to strain to hear him over the crackling fire. "I want to be united. Again."

"This isn't the way." South Korea muttered. "I would never be united with the living Devil."

North Korea's eyes blazed, and South Korea heard a light flick. "Let's see how fireproof you are." North Korea whispered in his ear.
—
South Korea swallowed, shaking his head hard. He was safe, not burning up into ashes. However, this made him think. He's afraid of fire. However in the World Meeting tower, he wasn't afraid at all.

South Korea clicked his tongue. It didn't make sense. He wanted it to, but it couldn't. Why wasn't he scared? South Korea dialed America's phone number, and he heard a low groan in the call.

"Sorry, da-ze." South Korea said in a fast tone. "But I found something out about the fire."

"Dude, can it wait five more minutes..."

"No! Come here now!" South Korea hung up before America could reply. The South Korean paced in front of his door, trying to figure out what happened. America came minutes later, dressed sloppily in his usual attire.

South Korea grabbed his arm, tugging the American over to his couch. "Ok, this is hard to explain, but remember my biggest fear?" Asked the South Korean, adjusting himself on the soft cuisines. America arched a brow.

"Yeah, dude. Isn't it your bother?"

"No! Fire! It's fire!"

"Oh, right. Yeah, what about it? Is your room on fire?" America peered around, as if trying to find the flame or smoke. South Korea sighed heavily.

"No, da-ze! I usually get petrified when I see even the smallest flame. But in the World Meeting Center..."

America paused, listening to South Korea explain. The American tilted his head, plundering.

"Strange. I didn't touch the flame, but who would? The only parts of the building that got torn up was the exit and main way, and where ever North Korea was. Do you think it was all a set up? To kill your brother?"

What America said frightened South Korea. Someone's trying to kill another nation? "That's a scary thought. Do you think they're tempted to try again?"

"If I want your brother dead that much, maybe." America scoffed. "Good thing he's in the hospital."

"Aha, that's another thing. Russia pulled him out." South Korea clicked his tongue. "I don't even know what that man was thinking."

America's mouth opened. "Are you serious, Dude?"

Suddenly, South Korea narrowed his eyes, looking at the American wearily. "Hang on, why do you care so much about North. You've always wanted him dead." South Korea lowered his voice. "You even attempted to murder him cold blood."

America pursed his lips, watching The South Korean with surprised blue eyes. "South, That was in the past." He began. "I care for him right now because... it's complicated. You just have to trust me, and you know I would never kill your brother. I'm changed from that time."

South Korea turned away from America, his eyes closed tightly. "You'll be surprised at how many people can't change in the course of a few years." He looked up at America. "Because once they get a taste of blood..."

The silence that fell between the two nations has never been so relishing.