A World Turned Upside Down

I Wish You Were Dead

Republic stared at his older brother, Beiyang, the one who had actually overthrown their father. But Republic wouldn't stand for that. Beiyang didn't deserve it. Republic took out a revolver, and pointed it at Beiyang's head. "Please...you can't do this to your brother..." Beiyang whimpered as his younger brother ever so slowly pulled the trigger. "I'm sorry brother..." Republic whispered when he heard a single click, and the sound of the gunshot ringing through the air. Republic didn't know if what he did was right, all he knew was that he never wanted to do it again. He never wanted to have to hurt his brothers again. Or brother. It was because of child mortality(murder). That left him China, and he would never let his younger brother go down the wrong paths of life. He had vowed to make sure that China would be better than him. But he was afraid what China would become.

"Republic...we're home...Republic? REPUBLIC!" China yelled at his older brother. Republic looked at China apologetically and quietly said, "Ack! Sorry I spaced out..." China then said, "But Republic, you never space out. It's always you yelling at me for not paying attention to things." a hint of worry in his voice. "I-I was just...thinking about something..." Republic mumbled in response. They both went inside their house, walking by all the empty rooms that used to be bedrooms. Their parents, Empire of China, Beiyang, Manchukuo, all gone. China looked at all the doors that hadn't been opened in years as he went to his room. He opened the door to his room and sat down on the ground, pulling out the red notebook from under his bed. "I miss you all..." China whispered as he began to write something about when all his brothers were alive. His pen hovered above the paper.

Flashback:

"Hey! Look at what I have!" Beiyang announced as he held out the small bird that had perched on his finger, smiling triumphantly at his brothers. China, still a small child, looked curiously at the bird, and asked, "Can I hold it?" He reached out a small hand, only for the bird to fly away. Beiyang frowned a little, and tried to catch the bird, only to fall on his face after tripping. "W-what happened?" Manchukuo quietly asked, looking up from the book he was reading to be met with odd stares from his brothers, wondering how he could be so focused on a book. Republic smirked and said, "Beiyang fell on his face trying to catch a bird!" Manchukuo smiled and chuckled lightly, causing Beiyang to stand up angrily, red-faced. 

China smiled slightly at the memory, but looked down to see a blotch of ink spreading on the notebook paper. He capped his pen and closed his notebook. China rubbed his eyes and asked to himself, "Why can't I write at all in these last two days?" He sighed in frustration as he opened up his notebook again. He had to try and write something! He was worried that his skills would deteriorate if he didn't write for too long. China stared at the ceiling, maybe if he found what was distracting him, he could write about that... W-wait WHAT?! China buried his head in his arms, blushing furiously. Why was he thinking about USSR all the time?! "W-why?" he quietly asked himself. Maybe it was better not to write anything at the time. He slid his notebook back under his bed, just as Republic yelled from the kitchen that dinner was ready.

Their family used to have servants due to how large it was, but there really wasn't any use for paying someone to do housework when they could do it themselves. There was another reason as well, though neither of the brothers wanted to admit it, having servants reminded them of when they were kids. When everyone they cared for was alive, and they had not a care in the world. When everything was okay. China got up and went to the dinner table, wordlessly sitting down and quickly eating all of his food. He looked up from his bowl and asked, "Republic, can I go outside?" China's older brother was quiet for a second, and then said, "Okay. Just be back before 9 p.m." The younger country smiled slightly as he put his scarf back on and went outside.

China closed his eyes as he stood outside, the wind gently blowing at his face, causing his scarf to billow. It was so quiet. It was so peaceful. It was almost as if Manchukuo was still alive. As if Beiyang was still there. As if their oldest brother, Empire of China was still alive. As if their parents were still alive. China continued walking under the maple trees on the street, listening to the birds chirp. It was so peaceful, too peaceful for the world. Nearly his entire family was dead. He had watched so many of those he cared for die. Republic was on the verge of death, he just wouldn't admit it. Maybe if no one acknowledged how weak Republic was, he would be okay. That's not how the world worked. "The world is falling apart and everything's PEACEFUL?" China yelled at nothing as he kicked a pebble down the street, still fuming. He didn't even know why he was angry anymore, he just was.

"What are you yelling at?" a voice called from behind him. China whipped around to see USSR standing behind him. "Hi, I-I didn't see you there..." China's voice trailed off, as he was embarrassed that USSR had heard him. The older country smiled and said, "It's okay. I was just walking when I heard you, err...yelling. Are you okay?" China looked at the ground, and nervously said, "I-I was just angry. I'm okay." The two started talking again. As they talked, they kept on walking. And walking. And walking, until they realized that they were near USSR's house. "So this is your house?" China asked as he looked at the large building in front of him. The older country nodded, and they were about to continue their conversation, when China checked the time. "IT'S NEARLY NINE I HAVE TO GO HOME!" China yelped, and started to run back to his house.

The door slammed shut, and China stood there panting. Republic didn't pay much attention to that, he just kept reading a book that he had apparently been reading while his younger brother was outside. "Hi Republic! I'm back!" China said, trying his best to sound cheerful. No response. Republic stood up and held out the book he had been reading. China's heart sank when he saw the familiar red cover of his notebook. "Can you explain this?" Republic coldly asked. China stared at the notebook, the words sticking in his throat. "I-I..." he managed to choke out, before... "I TRY TO CARE FOR YOU, AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY ME?!" Republic yelled. China didn't cry though. He yelled back.

"YES. Why can't you just let me be myself?"

"You're a fucking disgrace."

"I wish you were dead!"