Family Ties [Part 52]

[hellzabeth]

Title: Family Ties

Characters (in this chapter): Prussia, France, Russia, Ukraine, Hong Kong, China.

Rating: 15

Warnings: Not much, just a bridge chapter.

Summary: Uh, I need to be banned from the kink meme or monsters like this happen? Essentially, Scotland leaves the UK, which gives Northern Ireland an excuse to up and out as well, which leaves England and Wales all alone. Oh yeah, and this somehow leads to World War Three.

Things were not nearly so quiet on the French borders. The civilians hadn't taken kindly to German forces arriving, not at all. Rather, they'd grabbed whatever they could and were fighting tooth and nail to keep them out of the country. Pitchforks were thrown, tanks set on fire, and as the soldiers had been ordered not to harm the untrained civilian population, there was little they could do.

Prussia wondered just how informed these people were about the state of the war.

Luckily for him, he'd ditched the main invading force and was heading through more traditional methods to where he suspected France might be hiding. There was always this one bar in Mullhouse that he could trust to find his friend if he was ever in a real slump.

He knew enough passable French from hanging out with Francis for as long as he had to pass for a local, if he masked his accent. (Which he hated doing, but it was his pride verses being stabbed with the blunt end of a wooden spoon by a disgruntled housewife, which he didn't have the time to deal with right now.) Nobody looked at him twice anyway, which was good, though a slight blow to his ego. (People should be worshiping at his feet, the awesomeness he exuded being too great!) By the time he'd made it to the bar, he'd ditched the civilian car a couple of miles back and walked through the town centre like he owned the place. That usually seemed to work.

The bar was dimly lit and nearly empty, but it wasn't hard to find France slumped in his usual chair by the window. Prussia sat down on the seat across the table, making the blonde jump and stare at him. A large purple bruise on his cheek was only half hidden by the gauze that covered his ear and wrapped around his head. More bandages were wound around his wrists and his right hand, and no matter how well done up his collar was, he could see more white strips around his neck. He was sitting so as he wouldn't put any weight on his left side.

"You look like shit." Gilbert told him, and got a flat look in response. "No, seriously, what the fuck happened to you?"

A thin eyebrow rose. France opened his mouth a few times, then pointed to the bandages around his neck.

The albino frowned. "Geez, I know he likes to go for the neck but seriously?"

France wheezed, maybe a laugh or maybe a cough, then shrugged. Gilbert leaned forward, resting his arms on the table between them. He flicked out a piece of paper between his two fingers.

"West's sent me over here." he explained. "We're invading."

France's eyes widened, narrowed, flashed with some uncertainty and memories from times past, and finally settled on resignation.

"Hey, at least try and tell me off, yell or something." the Germanic Nation tried to joke, but the look on France's face dampened all humor. "Alright, fine, never mind that. That's only one of my jobs anyway." He waved the paper again, the sound of it flapping filling the empty bar. It was the middle of the day after all, sun streaming in through dusty windows. "I'm looking for info. Anything you can tell me."

France shook his head.

"Aw, come on Francis, help a guy out."

The other Nation placed his wrist on the table, and undid one of the bandages. Bright red and raw, there was a black tattoo. A tracking device.

"Shit." Prussia swore. France nodded. A silence fell as Prussia tried to think of something to get them out of this situation. An idea came.

"The code!"

France's look could probably amount to a flatly spoken "what."

Gilbert bounced up and down in his chair like an excited child. "That one you, me and Antonio used waaaaay back in that war with Austria! The one we made up but never used because it was all girly and flakey and shit! I am a fucking genius! Go me!"

Blue eyes stared. He took out a pen, grabbed the sheet of paper and started writing. It was with his left hand, as his right looked like it'd had a bad time trying to defend against something large, metal and pipe-shaped, but the writing was legible enough for him to read it.

You said that last part in German. The barkeeper has to have heard you, you're so loud. They'll get the others in here any minute. France flashed the note at him, in French so far, then started writing again, this time in the code. Flowers bloom by the shore, the orchard grove wilts in the wind faster than ice in the sun.

It took Prussia a while to figure out the code, rusty from disuse, as well as the new code he had to guess at from the context.

Warn Spain, Portugal is next to be nuked, he will vanish faster than Canada.

-----

Russia sat at his desk, staring at the map on his computer screen blankly. The borders of Belarus vanished, becoming Russian territory.

Well. His sister had gotten what she'd wanted in the end.

Something hot and wet hit his hands where they were folded in his lap. Looking down, it appeared to be water. He peered at the ceiling for leaks, and found none. The next drop rolled down his neck. This was confusing. By the third, he touched his face, feeling it come away from his cheeks wet.

Ah.

He was crying.

He hadn't cried in years. Decades, nearly. His body shuddered and shook, and before he knew it he'd buried his face in his arms, slumping onto the desk and feeling like his heart was going to fall out again, or simply fail from the unusual ache.

"Syestra..."

-----

Ukraine did not cry for her sister. Her tears would not come. The hole in her heart burned more painfully than any tears or radiation drifts ever would.

"We're moving the date forward. Operation Baba Yaga begins next month. Mobilise the forces."

-----

China entered the house to find Hong Kong waiting for him.

"Li Shui?" he asked, taking off his shoes and stepping onto the wooden flooring. "What are you doing still up, aru? It's three am, aru."

"I want to go to my islands, Yao-xiansheng." the little island Nation's face didn't reveal anything of his intentions, but the stiffness of his posture did.

"What are you afraid of, aru?" China asked, taking a few steps forward. Hong Kong took one back.

"Nothing." Hong Kong said. "I miss home. My home."

China's eyes narrowed curiously. "You're not usually so eager to leave, aru."

"Both Taiwan and I are restless..." The young port sighed, looking down, making himself look small and vulnerable. "Please, gege."

It was probably a good thing that Hong Kong had inherited England's manipulative streak. China made an annoyed sound, which was quickly replaced with a defeated groan.

"Alright aru, alright. We'll all go to your city for a week or two, if you're getting worried about your people." China folded his arms. "But Taiwan can't go to her islands. She's not safe there."

'Like it's safe anywhere right now.' thought Hong Kong, but he nodded and left to pack without a word anyway.

He hadn't intended for China to come with them, but any more argument might arouse suspicions. Quietly, he crept into Taiwan's room, and told her of the plan.

It was clear China didn't want to end this war, so they'd have to do it for them.

Notes:
- Bridge chapter, not much here.
- Mullhouse is a town close to the German border with France.
- No, France is not permanently mute. He's been smacked in the throat, that's bound to put your voice out of commission for a while.
- I swear I will get back to the WDF side eventually.

Part 53

Comments

[tuulensisko.livejournal.com]

I just left a comment to the last chapter if you didn't notice: here. (Just linking because I actually had something to say there too. ;;)

Pff, not much change but let's update the map anyway:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v424/Vismuttitomu/familyties_temp2.png

Oh Russia... It's so him not to even realize he's crying...

And baw France is all beaten up again. Luckily Prussia is as awesome as ever though. And damnit they'd better stop Port from getting nuked. (lol at the code btw.)


Just out of curiosity, do other people like these maps too other than just Pidge? Anybody else ever check them out? :D;; Not that I wouldn't keep it up even if it was just Pidge.

[hellzabeth.livejournal.com]

Ahh, I'll go look and reply to that in a moment. <3

Two map updates in one day? You're busy. <33333 Thanks so much for keeping up with this.

Poor thing's forgotten that you're meant to be sad about people dying. Luckily his heart remembers.

Prussia to the rescue! Awesomely! Epically! (It made me giggle coming up with it. It was probably mostly Antonio and Francis waxing poetic and Gilbert being like B| "no fucking way I'm using that.")

I think people do. It would be nice to see who comments though.

[tuulensisko.livejournal.com]

\o/

Lol not really, they were just tiny updates after all. (After re-drawing Canada's borders nothing seems like much actually. xD;; *sob* It was a pain in the arse to be honest.)

Baww. Hope he remembers to make sure his poor abused heart doesn't accidentally fall off again. Pfft.

S-sigh. I just still think the nations are dying too easily here... I mean two of them dead just by one single missile each? I mean makes sense that their governments would fall but I don't get it why they die while they still have lots of people left... it's not like all the millions of Canadians just suddenly decided to identify as Americans just because their government was fucked. If anything you'd think they'd just be even more unified in this kind of crisis. The same with Bela.... (aaand I could go on about Bela for another four paragraphs, complaining about the whole "wanting to marry Russia" thing and how inaccurate and offensive it is... Never mind I'll shut up already.)

To be totally honest it's sort of turning me away from this fic. =A=;;; I get it that the plot requires it but... it'd make more sense if the attacks had been to multiple cities around the countries. Although then it'd be just plain genocide. Well, not that it sort of isn't already but. I hope it'd be too horrible to ever be approved by any government.

[lovelylurker.livejournal.com]

This map, I use it. <3

it's hella confusing otherwise

[tuulensisko.livejournal.com]

8D Yay~♥ Thanks for commenting.

[windy-lea.livejournal.com]

I also check it. It is very helpful :-)

[jesuisjpcherie.livejournal.com]

I use that map too, it makes everything clearer

[tuulensisko.livejournal.com]

\o/ Yaaay~♥ Thanks for commenting~

[nenamoo.livejournal.com]

I look at the maps. A lot! ;-; It helps remind me who is doing/has done what and siding with who!

[revolutionjack.livejournal.com]

I use the maps ^-^ (It'd get /really/ confusing otherwise. ^^;) ...on the other hand, looking at black stars makes me sad now. -_-;

[alianorethecat.livejournal.com]

I use the map, and look forward to each update to it. It's incredibly helpful

[fallenxembers17.livejournal.com]

OH FUCK NO.
NOT PORT.
OH NO.
NO.
NO.

BAHHHHH.

_{b'awww russia}

[hellzabeth.livejournal.com]

*offers tissues?*

I haven't killed him yet, take deep breathes dear.

Somewhere underneath the ice is a heart that mourns for his sister.

[lovelylurker.livejournal.com]

You really are intent on killing everyone off, aren't you? England's heart is going to be broken.

[hellzabeth.livejournal.com]

Not everybody per se.

You guys act like I've already killed him. Makes me wonder if I really should...

[lovelylurker.livejournal.com]

Well, I just know what to expect. I can be pleasantly surprised otherwise?

Not everyone. Just everyone besides Russia, America and England who, while severely injured, watches in horror as America and Russia finally destroy each other. Oh and I suppose Scotland will live until there's some sort of conflict resolution between him, France, and his siblings before shit hits the fan. France might live too, depending on how much you nuke Europe.

And let's not forget the semi-poignant ending that will involve the surviving nation(s) creating new family ties by raising the new bbnations who rise to replace the fallen.

Yes, I say this like I know the inside of your head. But I don't. B| Remedy this plz.

[hellzabeth.livejournal.com]

Maybe. Maybe not. I don't like to be predictable, Lurker. <3

*reads through all of this*

Do you want a cookie for your attempt at reading my mind? XD Tell you what, if this is actually how FT turns out in the very, very end, I'll write you an extra big request.

[lovelylurker.livejournal.com]

A cookie is a perfectly acceptable reward for attempted mind-readery. :3

Naw. Just throwing my insanetheories out there.

[jesuisjpcherie.livejournal.com]

Aww France. It's nice to see him with his old friend Gilbert, but the irony of Germany invading France is... well, ironic. Though it's for a good cause this time.

That code is just epic, I love it! I'm guessing Gilbert didn't have much to do with its elaboration, though. XD And oh no, not Port! D: I wonder how Spain will react... is he still split?

That part with Russia made me bawww T.T It's so heartbreaking and sweet at the same time.

[hellzabeth.livejournal.com]

Eh, nobody's really keen to have the Germans occupying France again, especially not the Germans themselves. orz oh the shame.

It's so... poetic. No wonder Gilbert hates it. XD Poooooort, yes Spain is still split. 8D MPD Fun times!

Poor guy's closed himself off. *pets him*

[candesceres.livejournal.com]

Not much my arse. THERE ARE PLOTS GOING DOWN, WHAT ARE YOU SAYING.

Though I'm of the opinion that Port can survive anything after the Lisbon Earthquake, I imagine his heart became a little fragile after that s-so orz OMG. SPAIN. QUICKLY. GUERRILLA WARFARE. /o/ That is the most badass seekrit code ever. XD So poetic.

;sldkf owww France. ;AAAA; Why are always beat up? orz Though I lol'd at Prussia because seriously, way to tell everyone your master plan. XD And Hong Kong inherited England's cunning I see, oh China you believe in your family way too much I reckon. Though if they rush you with an icepick it'll be for your own good. Really! >A>

Glad to see you back bb bawwwww. <333

[hellzabeth.livejournal.com]

WELL IN COMPARISON TO CHAPTERS WHERE PEOPLES ARE DYING IT'S NOT MUCH orz

Poor Port, why does everything happen to you? No wait that's France /shot. The secret code is so flowery I think it must have been Spain that came up with it, waxing poetic. God knows what Italy Veneciano and Romano's codenames are.

He's always beat up because he gets in the way of things, da? Prussia is such a fail I can't even articulate. Hong Kong's very good with the kicked-puppy face, and China can't resist cute things. So yeah. What is it with you and people getting rushed with ice picks? XDDDDD

Glad to be back \o/

[candesceres.livejournal.com]

DON'T DIE GUYS, YOU MUST LIVE.

He gets heart murmurs. ;n; If you can even call it that lol orz. These Romance bros, honestly. Such a thing for getting beat up. :| fff Spain started it and then France made it better but Prussia was like FUCK THIS SHIT. /flips table manfully l-lol well there's no doubt that Italy and Romano are the little angels in Raffaello Santi's "Sistine Madonna", I mean. :|a

I'm more surprised he managed to escape Scotland, so well done France. Put some of those Napoleonic skills to good use. XDb ;lsdkf China and cute things is like Spain, or England or... just well they all like cute things orz. I like ice picks. It also gives new meaning to being stabbed in the back. /shot

D-Does this mean we can get back to being dere now? ;A;

[always-tea-time.livejournal.com]

LIIIIIIIIVE wait it's a little hypocritical for me to say that.

Poor baby, does he need a pacemaker? D: One would think they were sadomasochist the amount of times they end up all battered and bloody. Or maybe it's just the fact they look pretty when they bleed. /SHOT. France comes along and makes everything better with flowers and revolutions etc. Oh god if given the chance he totally would do that. orz Oh Spain.

More like he didn't let Scotland find him again. Left the poor guy in a bit of a mental shutdown in the hallway, avoided him on the way out, and he's home free. Ish. See, when I think ice picks I think of Trotsky and his amazing badassery. Is that what you mean?

Yes dear. *pets*

[candesceres.livejournal.com]

QUICK, GIVE THEM THE KISS OF LIFE.

He probably needs to stop smoking too lol but in all honesty, just try not to break his heart and he'll be right as rain. /POINTED LOOK ;lskf I - I definitely think it's the latter. No one wears blood quite as well as they do. >A> France has STYLE. And tactics, somewhere deep inside his calculating mind orz. Oh Spain, you and your little Renaissance angels. ;;

Ahaha oh Scotland. So mistreated, but then France probably has experience avoiding you fff. Ice picks = Russia = ;lskdfSCARY but awesome. Yes, let's go with awesome.

I love it when we're dere, husbando. Because it's inevitably Empire-ish at the same time. XD

[tomatatas]

PORT PORT PORT PORT AAAAAAAH

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD:

DON'T YOU DARE WOMEN, DON'T YOU DARE ;A;

[tomatatas]

....this is meg btw /lolroz

[always-tea-time.livejournal.com]

I was wondering for a moment there. XD

/Pidge ohay.

[tomatatas]

I'm showing distress to the bro-in-law ;A;

[kisproductions.livejournal.com]

If Portugal dies, I might just have to take drastic measures.

/readies pitchfork

[hellzabeth.livejournal.com]

*ducks and covers*

WHY ARE YOU PEOPLE SO SURE I'LL KILL HIM

So I have a bad track record, so what...

[oozaru-angel.livejournal.com]

Kinda agreeing with Tuul on the countries dying incredibly easily thing. I mean, Poland and Prussia survived their borders being wiped off the map. But it's fic so whatever.

Hong Kong you manipulative son-of-a-pirate. Protect your jehje. ;o;b And xian sheng if you have time.

[hellzabeth.livejournal.com]

Ahhhhhhh guys there are reasons please waaaaaaait. ||||orz

No wonder he's such a manipulative little brat; he's got China and England for parents!

[withgoldensoil.livejournal.com]

I WILL WAIT FOREVER or just until you finish.

Such a cute little capitalist SAR.

[always-tea-time.livejournal.com]

orz this is the down side of having so many plot threads PEOPLE START TO QUESTION and I can't answeeeeeerrrrrr.

Who's an adorable little capitalist! You are! Oh yes you are~!

[darker-dreamer0.livejournal.com]

PORT NO! Iggy save your husband! That way you can still go all deredere. They need to make one of those force fields but REALLY BIG.

Also, SPAAAIIINNNN! Please don't do anything stupid when you run to the rescue. (The poor dear isn't in the best state of mind right now and he was always a little weird where his brother is concerned *frets*)

[hellzabeth.livejournal.com]

A SUPERMASSIVE FORCE FIELD OVER THE IBERIAN PENINSULA~! Because that will so work.

Maybe we should keep him on a leash or something to stop him hurting himself. *stares at Romano*

[darker-dreamer0.livejournal.com]

EXACTLY! Russia will never see it coming.<3

Do you reeaallyy think that would stop him? *imagines Romano flying at the end of a leash pulled by Crazy!Spain*

*watches Romano start to slink away*

[tejab.livejournal.com]

*gets on her knees* PLEASE don't hurt Port!
France...why is it always you?
LOL at the code

[hellzabeth.livejournal.com]

France tends to get in way of things, da?

Oh the code. It's so... poetic.

Welcome back!

[alianorethecat.livejournal.com]

OMG Prussia! Yay! He's right up there with Hungary and Austria on my list of favorite characters. And Turkey, and France, and Canada, and *goes on for hours*

pff "I am a fucking genius. Go me!" Yes, Prussia. Go you. You're awesome.

*giggles at the code* How...Oscar Wilde-y.

Noes, not Port!

Aww you're making me feel sympathy for Russia. Cut it out.

I hope Hong Kong's plan works, whatever it is.

[thera7.livejournal.com]

I am in love with your fic... So emotive, well-written and informed! Fantastic. But I must ask, what code was Prussia discussing with France?

[hellzabeth.livejournal.com]

Um.... the "Flowers bloom by the shore, the orchard grove wilts in the wind faster than ice in the sun." is in code. It's code for "Warn Spain, Portugal is next to be nuked, he will vanish faster than Canada." That is the code right there...

It's not a cipher or anything, it's just made to sound like poetry only it's really not.

[thera7.livejournal.com]

Oh, thanks but I got the translation in the story... what I meant was how did the code actually work? Going from 'warn Spain' to 'flowers bloom by the shore' - what was the connection? The bit on Portugal and Canada made sense, but I didn't quite get how the blooming flowers made for a warning to Spain.

[hellzabeth.livejournal.com]

Flowers being danger, or warning, the shore (of the Med and the Atlantic) being Spain.

It's not an actual code. I made it up on the spot at 2 in the morning. There's nothing massively complicated about it. XD

ashjfkhsad

[emelethaine.livejournal.com]

NONONONONO DON'T NUKE PORT WHATEVER YOU DO DON'T JUST DON'T I'M GOING TO DIE HERE D:

......-sobs in a corner-

But thanks for updating anyway...

[aria-dc-al-fine.livejournal.com]

SAME SENTIMENT WITH EMELETHAINE PLEASE SAVE PORT!!!

Russia, you did this to her, you know you did *bawl*