The Safe Haven

Heartbreak

3rd person pov
☆°•☆•°☆

As the shadow neared they could make out the large figure of Russia holding something.

"Russia!" Kazakhstan called out, "What took you so... long." He studied the object his brother held in burly arms.

Once Russia was visible, the pack mates' eyes widened at the sight of the American and the bloodied clothes of the Russian.
"Oh my God, are you guys okay?" Poland fussed and walked forward to examine the leaders, but Russia cut him off with a death glare.

Ukraine peeked his head through a door that blocked the alpha's daughter's sight The larger male shook his head. Ukraine understood the nonverbal communication and retreated into the small house to entertain his niece and figure out what to do next.

Russia shielded his mate's fatal wound from the others until he reached an open space in the middle of the camp to lay the corpse down like it was the most fragile thing in the world.
He would always place his America down gently like he was a fine piece of priceless art that could dissolve into dust if handled incorrectly.

France and Britain took notice of the alpha and his luggage. They ran from the Healing House to see their son, oblivious to the situation.

France froze as her eyes made contact with her boy's figure that laid on the dirt path in front of her. She covered her silent scream as her entire body trembled. Her mate stopped in his tracks and stood there frozen, trying to wrap his head around this sick practical joke this must be. Surely his own son can't die before him.

France had seen everything within one second.
The mangling of her son's throat.
The blood that had stained Russia's skin and clothes.
The lifeless gaze Russia had while looking at the ground near his lifeless mate.

The Brit was in shock. He could only hold his mate as she wept into his shoulder.
He looked up to his second son, Canada. The playful young man who was always down to mess around with his older brother was now looking at him with clear, warm, salty tears streaming down his face and emerald eyes that never seemed to blink. They were too fixated on the body of his role model that laid, unmoving, on the ground.

No one dared to break the silence first.
Russia seemed emotionless as he sat there next to his mate. His eyes wandered down to the blue stone bear necklace, the proclamation of Russia's undying love. His hand shook like a leaf as he pulled the necklace over America's head to free it. Once freed, he wrapped it around his wrist tightly. Russia hesitantly brushed the hair away from his Stars's face. The large intimidating alpha placed a single kiss on the dead man's forehead. The slash that ran across his mate's eye made him weak.
He couldn't dare to cry in front of the people he lead.

"I'm going to find the son of a bitch that did this, and I'm going to destroy everything he loves in front of him, then take my sweet time finishing him off," Canada growled. Rage was rare in the rather peaceful country, but everyone knew that Canada is a man of his word.
Russia sat there in silence as his mind tried to process what happened.
Belarus slowly epoched her brother and gently put a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm so sorry brother," she mournfully said.
Russia shrugged off her hand. The tall alpha stood up and looked around at his pack's reactions.

France weeping into Britain's shoulder, clutching desperately at the collar of his button-down shirt. Her mate had silent tears running down his face as he held her back.
Canada had a mixture of emotions running through him. Sadness and rage. He wanted to get revenge even though it would never bring back his older brother. He swept away his tears before going into his house to confined in his mate.
Poland, Germany, and Sunny were in shock. They couldn't comprehend what was happening. Their dear friend laying in front of them dead. It couldn't be real, right?
Kazakhstan, Belarus, Estonia, and Finland all bowed their heads in silence respectively.
Russia looked emotionless. The dull eyes had cried all of their tears previously.
America looked peaceful, for once. He only looked this peaceful while sleeping, but somehow he managed to look like nothing bothered him. Like he wasn't just in the most extreme pain he has ever experienced.

He looked peaceful, and happy even, while everyone else was in pieces.

"Estonia, Finland, Kazakhstan, clean up his wounds and prepare a burial," the cold country demanded, then added softly, "I don't want our daughter to remember him as this."
France wandered over to her son and clasped on her knees while she soothingly stroked America's hair. She tried to wipe the dried blood off his cheek but to no avail.
Britain's arms scooped her up off her feet. France protested, but her limbs drew weak and her mate was able to carry her to their house.

Russia collected himself before going into his brother's house.

The young girl seemed to navigate her mind away from her near-death experience and played with wooden blocks that were scattered all over the floor. Ukraine sat right by her and ruffled her hair playfully. Ursa swatted her uncle's hand away before continuing construction on her mini-mansion.
A sad smile appeared on Russia's face as he looked at his blissfully unaware daughter.
Just as he was about to speak, he realized that he was still covered in his lover's blood. The alpha silently, yet hastily made his way to the bathroom without his daughter knowing.
Russia scrubbed furiously at his blood-stained hands before a knock interrupted him.

"Russ, it's me, open the door," a hushed voice demanded. Russia did as told and was met with a Canadian holding a spare change of clothes.
"Thought you might need these." The emerald green eyes scanned the blood-stained clothes. "Please take your time getting the blood off yourself. The last thing you want is to hug your grieving daughter soaked in the blood of a dead man. Please just take a shower. Sit. Plan what you are going to say. Reflect on what happened " Canada's hushed voice was pained.
Canada knew that the blood that covered Russia's clothes was his older brother's.
A person that he looked up to. A person that he inspired to be.
A person, once, so happy-go-lucky, so lively, so caring.
Is now dead.
Lifeless.

Russia took the clothes out of Canada's hands, placed them on the counter near the sink, and turned on the shower. When he got in the shower, the tall man viciously scrubbed off the blood that covered his skin and thought about his once white clothes in the trash can. He sat down, feeling the warm droplets of water roll off him as he planned what to do next.

He stepped out of the bathroom blood free and snuck up behind his daughter. The tall man picked the young girl up. Her happy, playful giggles filled the warm air in the house.
Russia carried her back to their home. She nuzzled herself in her father's chest with her eyes shut.

Once inside their safe home, the father made soothing drinks for him and his daughter before breaking the heart-wrenching news.

The night was filled with shared tears.

____________

Be safe ♡