France started reading again "All nations can have children, but most don't manage to live past eleven, let alone make it to adulthood."
For most of the countries there, family was a sensitive topic. They had all fallen in love with a mortal at one point or another, and gave in to their desires, some less than others, but they all ended up heartbroken.
Out of the blue, the room around them darkened and the curtains were pulled. An insignificant amount of light penetrated from under the doors, but they could still see well enough. A black sort-of-screen appeared in front of the curtains.
They were all alert, until France told them to calm down and that there was a small postscriptum, stating that they were, occasionally, going to watch some snippets of their lives.
Authorized stalking if you want.
They calmed down, but they still weren't enthusiastic about having to watch a litteral video of another's past. The countries that needed too turned around, and so the video started.
The first thing that they saw was a baby girl, peacefully resting in her crib. No one seemed uncomfortable or sad and the video continued.
Suddenly, a pair of arms extend to gently and carefully grab the baby and put her up to their chest. The person, most likely a man, gently rocked the baby and sweetly caressed her hair.
He spoke in a softly, trying to wake up his daughter. The voice was slightly different, yet recognizable to all ten of them "Wake up little cookie, it's time for you to eat"
America, who was up until that moment comfortably sprawled across the armchair, had now retracted to a more fetal position, with his arms crossed.
The video still went on, and the 'other' America was still trying to wake up the baby, now calling her Charlotte and sounding more agitated. He eventually got up from his chair, holding the baby, calling for 'Annie' and running out of the room as the scene faded off to black.
America had tears threatening to spill from his eyes, but he tried not to show. Japan cautiously approached and awkwardly hugged him in an attempt to comfort his maybe-not-just-best friend. America pulled an already flustered Japan on his lap and squeezed him tightly.
The video continued, now still showing America, two little boys with a couple of years of distance between each other, and the aforementioned Annie.
They were all eating out, probably at a Saloon and the older boy, Davie, was refusing to eat. His mother was trying to get him to take a few bites out of his mashed potatoes, but he wouldn't budge.
Annie sighed and looked over at America in a silent plea for assistance. Wanting to help, he put down his fork and looked at his son. "Hey, why don't you want to eat? You love this". The boy looked at him but didn't respond.
America sighed and leaned on his left arm, showing off his wedding ring to the 'camera'.
"Hey Davie" The boy looked up at him again. "Y'know that if you don't eat your food, you'll be forever as short as your brother?"
Off screen, Annie chuckled and Alfred spared a glance at her.
Davie seemed to take his father's statement seriously, made a concentrated and determined face that looked much like Alfred's and nodded.
America patted his head "Just don't eat too fast, okay?" Davie nodded, grabbed his fork and gingerly started eating.
He was just about to finish his beans when he started choking. America and Annie tried to help him, but he kept on coughing.
His parents and a few others tried to help him in the best way possible, but it seemed to be no use. Davie's face turned more purple by the second as he was desperately gasping for air.
Everything seemed to go silent when Davie stopped coughing. America called his name several time but he didn't respond. Tears started to well up in his eyes as the scene went black again.
America hugged Japan tighter and wiped away his tears. Still, the video continued, and this time, it was just him and his second son.
America was carrying him as he walked twoards the end of town. Now, the boy's face was finally being captured by the 'camera' and all the nations noticed that he not only looked like his father, but like England as well.
Tho luckily no caterpillar eyebrows.
I didn't want to curse this poor kid like that.
The boy was leaning on his father's shoulder with a concerned expression. He was looking around warily, almost as if he was searching for someone.
"Dad? I still don't understand why they did that to mom" The boy teard up upon thinking about his mother. America kissed his head and looked at him "Don't worry about it, ok Arthur? But now we have to leave".
England looked over at America as he heard the boy's name, but didn't say anything.
Suddenly, a yell was heard and America started running. He put Arthur down in between himself and the horse and started untying the animal from the rope.
His hands started sweating as he heard the men get closer and closer.
Arthur was hugging him terrorized, and looked up at him when he heard a gunshot.
America picked him up from the ground and put him on the horse, but in a mere second in wich he was exposed, Arthur got shot in the chest.
His body fell to the ground as America stared at him. He got down on his knees and hugged him as the scene faded to black again.
America was now full on crying and squeezing the life out of Japan. Canda got up and went over to comfort him, shortly followed by England.
Slowly but surely, America was able to calm down enough, but was still latched onto Japan and was refusing to let go. Japan said that it was fine, and made himself comfortable in America's lap.
The videos started playing again, and this time, a small, blonde little boy with blue eyes and a big nose was visible. He happily walked in the snowy forest with a pile of sticks in his arms, and seemed really proud of himself. It was clear who the little boy's father was, as a gloved hand patted the boy on the head.
At one point, the boy looked at his father "Papa? I'm cold"
"Don't worry, you just have to resist a bit longer, ok?"
"Ok papa ^^"
Once they reached home, Nikolai was quick to go sit next the fire and snuggle up with a blanket.
He sat there with a smile, until he looked at his father "Papa? I'm still cold" Russia looked at him concerned though about it "Do you want me to get you another blanket?" Nikolai nodded so Russia left the room.
When he came back Nikolai was shivering and hugging his small body. Russia worriedly wrapped the blankets around him and sat next to him.
Nikolai kept shivering as Russia moved him in his lap, growing increasingly worried and concerned. He hugged Nikolai tighter, hoping that his own body heat would help him, but he didn't get any better.
Nikolai started shivering even more and Russia's worry exponentially increased. He took his scarf off and wrapped it around Nikolai. The boy seemed to do better, but just for a moment.
The 'camera' panned to Russia without his scarf. His neck was plastered with scars and burn marks to wich he oddly seemed indifferent, but this is Russia after all. He had a scared and worried expression.
Nikolai's shivering started getting less and less, until he was completely still. Russia was clearly confused at this, so he called for Nikolai, but no answer. He called again and again, getting more agitated by the second.
He grasped Nikolai's shoulder and shook him, but still nothing.
Slowly letting go of Nikolai, he just silently sat there as the scene faded to black again.
Russia had evident tears in his eyes as he tried not to let them spill. He looked down at the floor before quietly excusing himself and leaving the room.
He walked just a few rooms over before stopping, sitting down on one of the couches and letting the tears fall.
1396 words
AS PROMISED
THE DAY OF MY BIRTHDAY
GOOD EVENING TO YOU ALL PEOPLE
Feb. 22nd 2024