Note: This is the first chapter in USSR's PoV! Also this chapter may be a sad one, so be warned. ALSO! CHERISH YOUR LIFE! STAY AWAY FROM SUICIDE!

‼️TW: Trauma-related things, desire to commit suicide to see dead family members again, mentions of Nazis‼️

“There are some things we need to discuss, pertaining to Rhine,” Dr. Raveshkov said, gesturing for USSR to follow him into his office.

USSR was a tiny bit nervous, but she was the one in charge of Rhine now. He was still technically a prisoner of war even if the war ended. And everyone outside of herself and the medical staff at this hospital thought him to be dead. She nodded and followed Dr. Raveshkov into his sterile-appearing, utilitarian, gray-and-white office. It was the epitome of a doctor’s office.

USSR sat down in the slightly uncomfortable chair in front of the desk in the decently small office. Dr. Raveshkov sat down in the chair opposite of USSR, before resting his forearms on the desk while clasping his hands.

“I have concerns that Rhine is incapable of taking care of himself,” The Belarusian doctor started, leaning forward slightly. “From what the nurses and I have observed, his habits of not eating everything that is provided and instead preferring to save it for later, even though he knows exactly when food is going to be given, is not something that should go unnoticed. Now, I don’t know that much about Rhine’s medical history, but I do think it is something that could very well be associated with past or present traumas.”

USSR’s heart sank a little at hearing that. She had hoped that this wouldn’t be an issue, but knowing the kind of world he had grown up in, what with it being the pre-war and also the post World War 1 period, it made a lot more sense for him to have such a psychological response. “I see…” She said, glancing down at Dr. Raveshkov’s hands for a split second before meeting his gaze and asking, “Is there anything else..?” She hoped there wouldn’t be, but she knew that there would be a fuck ton more.

Dr. Raveshkov sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly as he unclasped his hands. “Well, some of the things he’s been talking about in his sessions with Dr. Rowan has him concerned for his mental stability. From what I hear, Rhine’s been talking more and more about wanting to see Third Reich again, even though we both know that he knows that the man who caused the very war that just ended is very dead, and has been for a couple months. He’s also been talking about wanting to kill himself to try and ‘rectify things’.” Dr. Raveshkov put the phrase ‘rectify things’ in air quotes, shaking his head slightly as he did so.

USSR gasped softly in horror. For anyone, even someone who’s twin brother was a horrible person, to have such thoughts wasn’t something she wanted to see. Why am I worried for a Nazi even though he only did what his brother wanted him to do?

“What does that mean for him?” USSR asked, anxiety weaving its way into her tone. She hoped he would at least get better and have less of these… ideations, but she knew that would be unlikely even in the next few months.

Dr. Raveshkov sighed softly, glancing down before looking up at USSR, “Well… all I can really offer that would be humane for him is therapy and finally going to a place where there are regular eating times. At least after a couple more days here in the hospital.” The few more days in the hospital was understandable.

“My home it is then,” USSR muttered, letting out a soft sigh. She knew it would eventually come to that, after all, Rhine had nowhere to go, and he wouldn’t be able to provide for himself if he was alone. Along with the fact that practically the whole world thought he was dead. If only he didn’t have to hide.

“I just hope he doesn’t try to kill himself in the next few years. Perhaps then we can see how a human is affected by the death of their counterpart.”

USSR nodded, though inwardly she hated the fact that she was condoning such a test. It felt… inhumane to do such a thing to a person, but they had to know. League of Nations had told them exactly what would happen if an organization-human went without their counterpart from birth. It had not been good in the end.

“Should we tell him our decision?” Dr. Raveshkov asked, tilting his head to the side slightly.

“Yeah, we should.”

. . .

When Rhine hobbled into the office, he looked so gaunt and terrified. The clothing he had been provided, a simple white shirt and some loose gray trousers, hung off his frame like drapes over a wireframe. His gray-blue eyes were wide and appeared slightly sunken and hollow –except for the fear–, and his under-eyes were dark. His cheekbones were noticeable, the skin hanging off of them and going inwards over his cheeks like a cloth over two logs just vertical. His hands were bony, and his fingers were like the legs of a spider, if spider legs had bumps where the joints were.

USSR heard either herself or Dr. Raveshkov gasp upon seeing just how malnourished Rhine appeared to be, though considering this was the first time that USSR saw Rhine upright, it would make sense to her that she was the one who gasped. USSR worried that the slightest sigh would make him have to fight to stay on his feet.

Translations:

None!