(Russia POV)

We were given the option to stay a bit after dinner so since we had nothing better to do, we took them up on that offer.

Canada, Australia and New Zealand entertained us with a tour of the house. It was just as confusing as I remembered since it was rebuilt as a perfect replica of the one before. As we made our way through the top floor, my attention was caught by a room with its door ajar so I silently split from the group and walked up to it.

Once I got closer, I could see that someone was in there so I knocked gently to announce my presence.

"Oh, I didn't see you there," Britain's voice called, "Come on in."

The room was a mess, with papers and books stacked everywhere. Yet somehow, it felt like the most sophisticated space in the house. I sat down in the chair that the man had gestured to where a small table stood, holding a nice, porcelain tea set. He pushed a steaming cup to me and sat down. The aroma was nice and I took a sip.

"So, how's your partnership going? I hope my son hasn't been too annoying," he half joked.

"It... could have been worse," I replied as I took another sip, "I'm sure it can be hard to believe, but I don't really mind."

Britain nodded and sighed to himself, "Well from what I know, America has been doing better ever since he met you. I should thank you for that."

Doing better? What was that supposed to mean? Britain saw my confusion and laughed nervously.

"Oh, I guess it's not very well known, but every four years, there is a time when he get a bit... difficult to deal with. It's around that time now but I have yet to see any sign of that yet."

Time began to fly as we talked. Though, it would be more accurate to say that I listened while he told stories. It was remarkable how clearly he remembered everything, centuries upon centuries.

Finally, the sun had begun to set, spilling its golden rays through the window. The teacups sat empty and finally, I mustered up the courage to ask, "Who exactly was Soviet and what happened to him?"

The brit sighed and turned away, letting the sun's rays wash over his face but his face seemed to have darkened instead. He looked like he just aged a hundred years.

"Let's just say, he was a peculiar chap. Could never get too close but never left our side either," he struggled for words, "But I don't think I'm the person you should ask. If you want to hear more, I suggest you go to America."

...

America's legs trembled from the biting winds that stung his bare skin as he trudged through the snow. After Soviet had left, a howling blizzard began to pick up, making it harder and harder to go forth.

"Get back before dinner. Ha, yeah right," he shivered to himself. Most of his body had turned numb already and it was a miracle that he was moving at all. With a trembling gaze, he slowly unclenched his hand that held onto a little key, made to unlock and relock his restrictors. If he could open his cuffs, he would be saved. He wouldn't freeze to death if he could just...

"NO!" America cried to himself as he shoved that thought away. He refused to use it. He had seen too many things turned to ash because of it. The people's screams still echoed in his head.

The young boy continued forward, one step after another until his body couldn't take it anymore. He collapsed into the snow but the fall was painless. His body had already lost all it's feeling.

"I'm so tired," he thought to himself before he drifted to sleep. In the corner of his vision, he saw the howling wind suddenly disperse and a familiar figure walked over to him.

"Tsk," he said as two other people lifted America's ragged body out of the snow, "Dry him off and keep him warm. Return the key to me."

When America finally opened his eyes, he was surprised to find himself in a soft, warm bed instead of the afterlife. Slowly, he sat himself up to get a better look at his surroundings.

"You're awake. How are you feeling?"

Soviet stepped into the room with another soldier, who held a steaming bowl of soup.

"Hurry," he coaxed, "Drink while it's hot." America complied without needing to be told twice and drained the bowl dry. It tasted a bit different from what he was used to but that didn't matter. The hot liquid flowed into his body and brought him back to life. 

"That wasn't very nice of you," America rasped as he slumped back into the pillow, "Why did you leave me to die like that?"

Burning tears pricked his eyes but he was determined not to let the red man see them. Soviet stared at him for a moment before sighing deeply.

"Since you were so adamant about your powers being this killing curse, I was hoping to force you into a situation where you had to use your Awakening to survive. After all, you won't freeze to death if you're on fire, right?"

"Well, yes but no-"

"Look," Soviet grumbled, "Your fire is like a blade. At first glance, you see it as something that would cause pain. You see it as something scary but a blade can do much more than just kill. Like your fire, it is just a tool. I'm here to teach you how to use that tool."

He made the, do-you-get-it-now, gesture and I stared at my hands in wonder.

"In the end, it's up to me?" I finished and he patted my head in approval.

"Very good. So stop being scared of your own gifts. Use what you have been given."

...

That was my first lesson I had learned with Soviet. Come to think of it, it was the first time I had fun, discovering new things about myself. He would encourage me to go further too, but that was back then. Our relationship had changed so much.

Perhaps the mention of his name had stirred past memories but at least the happy ones resurfaced first. I didn't want to dwell on it any longer, because next came the truths that riddled the previous ones as lies.

I had been standing on that balcony for who knows how long but I was brought back to earth by the sound of the door sliding open.

"Oh, hey Russia," I said, "What's up?"

"There's still a bit of time before the sun goes down. Walk with me?"

I couldn't help but feel my heart do a little flip flop, unsure if I had heard him correctly. For some reason, I felt happy and accepted his offer-

I suggest you two stay apart lest another tragedy occurs.

That reminder stopped me in my tracks and I guess my realization showed.

"What? What's the matter?"

"Oh, uh... I don't think I should..." I stammered as I stepped a few steps back. When I looked up, for a brief second, I saw his broken form from that day. It startled me and I looked away. Russia, however, was not gonna have any of that and pulled me along anyways. Noticeably, his hands were not as cold as they were before which meant he was recovering well. Nevertheless, I quickly put on my restrictors just in case.

...

We strolled through the nearby trail, where we strayed from the main paved path and into the more unkempt areas. The small blanket of trees left patches of golden light on the rough dirt path. The further we walked, the quieter our surroundings seemed to get. I'm not sure if it was just my imagination, but I swear that all the birds had stopped chirping. The only sound left was the ones we were making and the distant babble of the nearby brook.

"Your father told me about my situation," Russia suddenly spoke up, "He also told me about your worries."

Caught off guard, I stopped abruptly as he turned to face me. His figure was shrouded by the cold blue tones of the shade while the setting sun casted it's liquid gold hues onto me. In this moment, our contrasting positions were displayed perfectly.

"Oh, did he now," I chuckled nervously as I subconsciously tugged my sleeves over my wrists but this action did not go unnoticed. The Russian reached out and pulled my hand up to let the sleeves fall, revealing the restrictors I had on. His eyes flashed with jaded frustration but it wasn't completely directed at me.

"You really have changed," he shook his head in displeasure, "America, when did you get so weak?"

My face froze as I processed what he had said. Weak? Me?

Now it was my turn to get upset, "Pardon me?" I exclaimed as I took a few steps towards him, "If I'm weak, then what does that make the rest of you? From what I remember, you have yet to beat me in a match!"

His sharp, ice gray eyes did not waver in the slightest.

"If you are as strong as you claim to be, why are you hiding behind your restrictors? Why are you defending yourself? Have you not noticed yet? I am wondering where your confidence has gone."

For some reason, my mind went blank and my usual rapid-fire mouth couldn't seem to utter a sound, vanishing along with my brief wave of irritation.

"When I say you are weak, I mean your spirit, not your Awakening. So what happened?"

I hadn't realized it yet, but he had drawn close and now, we stood in arms reach. Throughout our walk, this was the closest I had gotten and here I knew, there was going to be no right way to avoid this.

"I'm scared..."

After uttering those two words, it felt like the dam that held back all my pent up frustration finally broke. I couldn't help but let my emotions spill.

"I'M SCARED OF YOU! I'M SCARED OF WHAT YOU CAN DO, WHAT YOU MIGHT DO, AND WHAT YOU WILL DO! I'M SCARED TO FALL AFTER ALL I'VE DONE TO GET HERE! I'M SCARED OF WHAT PEOPLE MIGHT SAY, WHAT PEOPLE MIGHT THINK- I'M UNSURE OF WHAT MY OWN FAMILY THINKS OF ME!"

I stopped to take a few deep breaths as I let my racing thoughts go. Burning tears stung at my eyes but I was determined not to let them fall as I raised my eyes to lock with his unreadable ones.

"But most of all, I'm scared of me and what I can do, what I might do, and what I will do."

Even now, I could see the broken shards of his lifeless face but it wasn't just Russia. Everyone I had known stared back at me. Including my own visage. I couldn't help but squeeze my eyes shut.

Clack-

The rush of air that washed over my wrists snapped me out of my trance and I stared in horror as the cuffs unlatched and fell to the ground. Now, only Russia's fingers rested on my skin.

"But how-"

A small metallic key rested in the palm of his hand as he sighed, "I guess Britain was right to worry about you."
He pocketed the restrictors and walked away yet I found myself unable to follow. My feet had been frozen to the ground.

Suddenly, two giant spears of ice appeared overhead and shot towards where I stood at blazing speeds. My flames rose on its own accord and I quickly threw myself out of the way.

I was about to curse in frustration before a chill of realization hit me. What was he doing? He wasn't supposed to be using his Awakening but beyond that matter, what he sent towards me wasn't the same as what I had experienced on Earth. No.

That attack was delivered with the intention to kill.

"RUSSIA WHAT'S GOTTEN INTO YOU?!" I screamed as another pike nearly took my head, "STOP, WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS- YOU'LL BREAK APART AGAIN!"

This moment of distraction sent me sprawling to the ground, where I found myself at the Russian's feet. The expression he wore was one that gave me serious déjà vu, for it was the same one that Soviet had worn during our parting days.

"If you want me to stop, you're going to have to make me."

Author's Notes:

STOP RIGHT THERE! STOP DIGGING THAT HOLE CUZ YES I'M SOMEHOW STILL ALIVE-

All joking aside, sorry for the delay. I needed some time to readjust for school. Anywayyyyyyys... see you all next chapter

Hwehwehwehwehwe...