Chapter 9

(Russia's POV)

     Russia had been outside for about 10 minutes. He was starting to grow restless. Where was Germany? Maybe he bailed out and changed his mind about coming. Maybe Russia really did make him uncomfortable earlier. Russia looked up at the sky and hope that wasn't it. He hoped that Germany hadn't changed his mind about eating with him. Maybe Germany was spending time with his other friend. Were they together? Russia felt his heart ache. Was he really jealous? Russia cleared his throat. He decided that that was a selfish thing to think. So what if they were? All he wanted was for Germany to be happy. Russia closed his eyes for a moment and let the gentle breeze calm him down.

     He was startled by the sound of a door being roughly pushed open. Russia looked down from the roof to see Japan running out. He climbed down to confront her. She was out of breath when Russia got down. She couldn't even form full sentences.

"R-Russia....Germany...Tofu Blob...bathroom.."

"Japan, what is going on?" Russia said, now slightly worried. He had to wait a few seconds for Japan to catch he breath. When she did, she looked at him with an expression he rarely saw on her face: panic.

"Japan, tell me what's wrong!" Russia asked Japan again.

"It's Germany." She replied.

"What about Germany?"

"He's hurt-bad."

     Russia's heart skipped a beat. He felt that something was off, but he didn't want it to be this.

"Where is he?" Russia said frantically.

"In the restroom-Israel is in there with him."

      Russia wasted no time. He ran with Japan through the cafeteria and towards the bathrooms. A million thoughts ran through his head.

What happened to Germany? Is he okay? Who hurt him? Are we too late?

     Russia yelled Israel's name. He got no reply at first. Russia, panicking, yelled louder. When there was still no reply, he screamed the country's name as loud as he could. He didn't care if the whole school heard him. He needed to reach Israel and Germany. This time, he got a response:

"Russia! In here!" Israel said from in the men's restroom.

     Russia ran into the restroom, only to stop dead in his tracks. There was Israel kneeling on the floor of the bathroom.

And laying on the floor next to him was Germany.

     Israel moved aside as Russia came running up to Germany. He was laying in a pool of blood. There were bruises on his face and neck. One of his eyes had swelled up. He was curled up pitifully. Russia felt his stomach churn. He knew what blood and bruises looked like-he had beaten up more than one person in his life- but this was sickening. Russia felt like throwing up. He got on his knees and sat in front of Germany. Tears rolled down his cheeks. This was awful.

"He was unconscious when I found him..." Israel said worryingly.

"We have to get him help." Russia said, now desperate.

"I can't pick him up, I have noodles for arms."

     That was okay, because Russia had already scooped up the beaten up German and was holding him in his arms.

"We're taking him to the nurse. You can get the door."

     Israel nodded and ran or of the bathroom. Russia followed after him, calling to Japan as he went. Japan, who had been waiting outside, gasped when she saw the smaller country, but ran after Russia. As they were running, Russia heard German cough, and he looked down to see that blood was dripping from Germany's mouth. His stomach twisted again, but he kept running.

"Hold on, Germany, we're getting you help."

      When Russia and Japan reached the nurse's office, Israel was waiting there. With a nod, Russia told Israel to open the door. He obeyed, and Russia came into the office. The nurse got up and quickly walked over to the group.

"What happened?" She asked,

"We're not sure. He was in the bathroom, and we found him like this.." Russia replied.

      She told Russia to lay Germany on the bed they had in the room. Gently, Russia laid the country down. Germany shuddered and coughed again, standing the floor with drops of blood. Th he nurse told Russia, Israel, and Japan to wait outside, but not to leave. All 3 left the office and sat in chairs that had been placed outside. Russia sat closest to the door. He tapped his feet on the ground anxiously. The sick feeling had subsided but was still there. Who would do such a thing to someone who was as sweet and shy as Germany? Russia clenched his fists; whoever it was was going to pay.

●□●□●□

     It had been almost an hour. All 3 were still waiting oitside. Russia was now very worried. Was Germany going to be okay? Russia decided he didn't want to wait any longer. He was just about to get up when the door opened. The nurse told them she only needed one person to go in. Both Israel and Japan pointed to  Russia. He looked back at them, and they smiled. The nurse allowed Russia to go inside.

     Russia saw Germany on the bed. He was no longer bleeding, but his head and sides had been bandaged. The nurse had taken Germany's shirt off, and Russia could feel himself blushing. There was also an ice pack over his eye. Russia realized that Germany's glasses were gone.

"He had a minor concussion, but besides that, he only suffered a few bruises."

Russia sighed in relief.

Russia breathed out a small sigh of relief.

" But.. there was a particularly large bruise on his shoulder from earlier in the day."

     Russia looked over at Germany's shoulder. She was right. A large patch of his shoulder skin was a purple-ish green. Did Russia do that to him?

No, Russia thought to himself. It couldn't have been me. That must've been why he flinched earlier.

"He'll be fine, but he's going to be in a lot of pain when he wakes up. I'll need you to be with him when does."

     Russia nodded. He looked back at Germany. He had a painful expression on his face. Russia felt his heart ache for him. He felt awful for being jealous. Germany didn't seem like the kind of perosn who would just not show up without saying anything. Russia looked over at Germany's hair. It was neatly combed out and slightly gelled. Russia reached over and ran his fingers gently through his hair. It was soft to the touch and very smooth. Germany shifted just as Russia pulled his hand away. He slowly opened his eyes.

"R-Russia? He said quietly. "Is that you?"

"Yes, it's me."

"I-I can't see you- you're just a blur."

"Wait here."

     Russia left the nurse's office and quickly ran back to the bathroom. There was still blood on the floor. Russia cringed, but found Germany's glasses. Besides a small crack in the frame, the g,assets were still in good condition. He ran back into the nurse's office. Germany wa still laying down, but he was awake now.

"Here, I got your glasses." Russia said as he slipped them onto Germany's face. He saw Germany blink a few times. He figured he could see Russia more clearly now. Germany tried to sit up, but he had moved onto his hurt shoulder and winced. He must've begun to feel the rest of the pain, because he let out a yell. Tears had started to roll down his face.

"Hey, hey! It's okay!" Russia said, trying to calm down his friend. Germany looked at him. He had started to breath faster, and tears were still coming from his eyes.

"It's okay. I know it hurts."

Germany sniffed and wiped the tears from his face and cheeks.

"D- do you want to squeeze my hands until everything stops hurting?"

     Germany nodded but said nothing. Russia offered Germany his hands. Germany took them and squeezed. He had a strong grip for such small guy, and Russia was slightly taken aback. He squeezed Russia's hands on and off. It seemed to be helping, and after a while, Germany stopped crying.

"Does that feel better?" Russia asked him.

"J-ja.." He said. "But..can I still hold your hands? If you don't mind.."

     Russia nodded and smiled. After a few minutes, the nurse came back in the room, followed by Israel and Japan.

" The nurse said that Germany should probably go back home, but she couldn't get a hold of his dad on the phone.

"He's probably at work.." Germany said.

"So, what do we do?" Japan asked.

"He can stay at my place for a bit. My house is literally across the street, and he's been there before." Israel commented. Everyone agreed to this. Germany tried to stand up, but he almost immediately fell over. Luckily Russia caught him. He saw Germany blush slightly.

"Here, I'll carry you" Russia said, picking up Germany bridal style.           Germany nuzzled his face into Russia's chest. Russia caught Japan staring at them. She had a naughty look on her face. Russia glared at her, and she stuck her tongue out. Following Israel, he carried Germany out of the doors of the office. Israel led the group out of the front doors and towards his house. Japan had gotten the keys to everyone's lockers, and she went back to get Germany's things. She was quick and decided to grab everyone's stuff, and she caught up with the group not long after they had left.

     Israel opened the door to his house and let everyone in. They went into the living room. Russia gently laid Germany on the couch and sat on the floor in front of him. He must've fallen asleep, because he yawned when Russia put him down.

" I am going to get ice for Germany," Israel started. "Japan is going back to see what the nurse wants us to do."

"I'll stay here," Russia said.

     Israel nodded and left. Russia got up and sat on the couch next to Germany. He looked down to see that Germany had moved his head lo lay on Russia's leg.

"What are you doing?" Russia said with a chuckle. Germany responded with a grunt.

"That's okay. Just get some rest."

     Germany looked up at Russia. Their eyes met for a moment.

His eyes kind of remind me of glass Russia thought to himself. They're actually really pretty...

    Germany had dozed off. Russia chuckled and ran his fingers through Germany's hair. He needed the sleep, poor guy. Russia didn't care how gay they looked. He was just glad his crush was okay.

(Hope you all enjoyed the chapter! It came out slightly later than usual, but it's here now! I will try my best to keep up with the art, but I will mainly focus on the story for now.)

Story word count: 1,792 words