Horror and pain can be found anywhere. The most inconspicuous of places are where the fear and malice resides. Within the brightest surfaces of your mind hides the darkness, awaiting your unsuspecting arrival. The water hid that pitch black darkness within the depths of its twisting currents, swallowing his small body whole. Sputtering gasps of air and blinding moments of pain were the only things felt by the man throughout his downfall. But this was all to come, a fate unknown to its beholder.
Ivan Braginski walked slowly. Not for his weariness, nor for any other personal gain. No, the Russian man walked gradually up the mountain because of the slow man trailing behind. The man had guessed that the other would have been able to handle at least this, a short trek up a ‘mountain’ as it were, yet there he was, staggering behind, gasping desperately for what oxygen he could obtain. “Hey, Japan! You are quite the slow of persons, da?”
“R…Russia-San….wait…” Japan gasped for breathe, his old age finally having taken a toll on him. It wasn’t as though he was that much, if any, older than the other, yet somehow he always found himself having a slightly more difficult time with physical activities. The Japanese couldn’t even walk to the grocery store and back without his back becoming sore. “Prease….I can’t c…catch up…” the smaller man continued staggering forward, holding his stomach as he desperately searched for air that wasn’t there for him.
Russia crouched down beside the smaller nation as he collapsed to his hands and knees, gasping for air. “You need help, da?” All he received in response was a curt nod of Kiku’s red face; obviously embarrassed he had to admit to this in the first place – or maybe it was the fact that he couldn’t breathe... In only a few short seconds, the short man found himself in the cool embrace of two strong arms, legs hoisted up so that he was being carried in a way comparable to the fashion in which a groom carried a bride. He wriggled a bit uncomfortably, but soon became weary and settled down, not realizing that he had subconsciously rested his head against the broad chest beside him. The arms currently carrying him were cool, but not cold as he would have expected, and felt good to his sweat soaked and heat stroked body nonetheless. Slowly, the efforts of the trip up into the mountain began to pay off and before he could help it, a sigh, then a yawn escaped his lips, immediately giving away his exhaustion to the bigger man. Kiku didn’t understand why he always agreed to come along with Russia to places like this; hiking, or maybe swimming at the beach. He hated anything physical, and was completely against any activities that wouldn’t involve bettering his fighting and combat abilities. Japan folded and rested his hands on top of his stomach with a bit of a sigh, beginning to breathe normally again as he closed his eyes and slipped into a peaceful sleep.
Russia continued walking for a while after Japan had fallen asleep. The latter was physically weaker so it was expected that he would have less stamina when it came to activities such as this, which involved physical labor of some sort. The taller nation chuckled a bit, simply out of his own amusement towards the small country in his arms. Japan’s composure had been fading quickly as of lately, and Russia often found that it was easy for the country to slip up quite often when around him. Now the small man was curled up in his arms, unconsciously huddling against Ivan’s cool frame; one that was becoming progressively warmer as the time passed. The man had traveled a good bit of distance before finally decided a rest would be good; scouting out and settling down in the nearest clearing. Ivan didn’t wake the other, he only sat down, pulling the small warm body close. The faintest and almost undetectable tinges of pink spread across Russia’s cheeks as the other nation snaked slender arms around the him, only reaching around his waist at the level he was. After checking several times, the Russian determined that Kiku was still asleep -acting subconsciously- and released a sigh, leaning back against the support of a firm tree sprouting up behind them. It was nice to be laying like this, carefree for once. Japan was now leaning against Russia’s chest in sleep, both of their legs stretched out in front of themselves. Fearing simply for the fact that it would become cold, -the sky was becoming progressively darker, dropping along with it the climate- Ivan draped his arms over the other’s body, clutching him closer still.
