“I told her to get kindling and she didn't return for the whole night!” Soviet exclaimed from the other side of the phone, sounding quite distressed. “I don't know where she went!”

“You didn't think to send Russia along with East?” Germany snapped, pacing as much as he could without disconnecting from the call.

Soviet sigh was audible to Germany's ear. “SFSR was preparing dinner, plus I didn't think East would wander that far-”

“Mutter you never think,” Germany snapped before he could stop himself.

The silence that came from the other end was suffocating, and didn't break until Germany muttered a soft “sorry.”

“Look, I get why you're stressed. Your father and then East go missing within a month of each other. And East is somewhere in these woods. Plus no one knows where Auschwitz and Birkenau are, they could be dead for all we know.” Soviet said, her voice somewhat comforting to Germany.

“Yeah, yeah I know,” Germany muttered, running a hand through his short black hair. “It's been a long month. Israel's been begging me to go harder and revoke Mengele's medical license. But I can't force the universities to revoke his degrees. I know they will, but when… I don't know.”

“That’s tough,” Soviet murmured in agreement. “I know Israel can be pushy, especially when it comes to finding the rest of the Nazis. You know how he-”

“How he says that 13 years to find them is too long? Yeah, I know,” Germany continued for Soviet, letting out a soft huff. “He insists that since it's 1958 we should have found all the Nazis, but I have other things to worry about. Like keeping the economy afloat and ‘keeping communism out’ like America wants me to do.”

“Yeah, it's difficult…” Soviet murmured. “I wish I could force my government to join in the hunt, but they want to do things their way.”

“I figured that was the case,” Germany sighed softly, rubbing his forehead.

“You know with East missing you'll likely have to take up her duties too?” Soviet inquired, concern weaving its way into her voice.

Germany froze, he hadn't even considered that. But it was true. “I-I didn't consider that…”

“Were you more worried about your sister?”

“Mhm,” Germany nodded, pursing his lips.

“I can understand that,” Soviet reassured. “I'd be worried too if I was in your position.”

“I'm going to see what I can do now,” Germany said after a couple moments. “There's a lot going on, but thank you,  Mutter.”

“You're welcome, Germaniya,” Soviet responded, a hint of affection in her tone.