Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia - Axis Powers.

Summary: AU. This is not an unknown world. It is just a world that is forgotten. Series of stories, long and short.

A/N: Inspired by "Rumpelstiltskin" (even though this story really has nothing to do with that).

And always, please enjoy~

The Villain and the Subordinate

-反派與配角-

The world was a theatrical stage. The nations were the performers. And the audience consisted of the nations' children. They monitored the nations' interactions closely.

He blended into the background. He was not the main attraction like the bigger infamous nations---America, England, China, just to name a few---were.

He blended into the background with other minor nations, other minor characters, and silently moved the story along wherever it needed to go. That was his role as a subordinate.

He watched as the infamous nations fell in love, fought over what was important and what was mundane. He watched as they struggled to compromise and finally arrive at a happy ending.

And he wondered if a subordinate like him could receive a similar happy ending.

But he was only a subordinate. What did his happiness matter? He remained in the background, and the nations in the foreground did not look behind themselves to the background, to him, because they were chasing something else before them, something better, perhaps.

He remained in the background, until one day a pair of eyes scanning all around found him in the background and pulled him into the foreground, into the story, into the center of all attention.

That was his initial meeting with Russia.

Russia, unlike Lithuania who blended into the background, was part of the foreground, part of the main story.

He was the center of attraction, of course. Why would he not be? He was the villain after all. He was the subject of everyone's hatred: the main characters' and the audiences'. He was always getting in the protagonists' way, trying to annex the other nations and preventing them from achieving their independence whenever possible. Russia was the villain. He knew his ending, unlike the protagonists', would be an unhappy one. It would only be for him to meet his demise that they are able to attain happiness.

Every story was written in such a way.

Correction. Every fairy tale was written in such a way. There was a difference, because it was necessary for the villains to drop dead in the end of all fairy tales for the main characters to live happily ever after. The death of villains was a requirement, even when the villains may not have been so threatening to the existence of the protagonists.

Russia was a villain. And his goal was to annex the nations and expand. So he looked around, all around the foreground and all around the background, to search for something that he could get his hands on. Anything, really.

Then he saw him in the background, silently observing the foreground, observing for the right time to make his appearance to aid in the development of the plot. He seemed content in the background.

Perhaps it was his instinct as a villain to cause mischief. Or maybe, he was just bored. He wanted to experiment. If he brought a subordinate into the foreground, forcing him to plunge into the main conflict, would the subordinate then lose his value as a plot catalyst?

So his desire for an answer to his wonder convinced him to drag him by the arm into the foreground, where everyone was watching. Part of the audience turned their attention to them. Seeing Lithuania, some turned back to the center stage, uninterested at his ordinance. Some watched them still, watched Russia actually, their minds analyzing his motives behind his action, trying to connect how conquering a small nation such as Lithuania would contribute any value to his ultimate evil ambition.

As they watched him, Russia watched them. Inside, he mocked them, mocked them for attempting to see deeply into his intentions. He just wanted to have some fun sometimes. After all, villains get distracted and bored at pursuing their goals too, just like anyone. It was foolish of them to look so deeply into his every move, and to try and find significant meanings.

He needed a break from them.

So he moved into the background, trying to experience it as the other, now his captive, had experienced it before.

"Ah~ This is what it feels like being a minor character." He said in his usual cheery voice. "It's nice to be away from all the idiots in the foreground~."

Not knowing what else to say, the other replied, "...I-is that so...?"

"But you know, being here means that you have already missed your chance at radiant happiness. Since, that is only the main characters' special privilege." Russia continued. "You cannot have brilliant happiness, because you are too ordinary. And soon, you will be forgotten~"

The other knew this for a fact already, Russia knew. Yet, Lithuania was still denying, still struggling. His inner self demanded justice. In reality, what he wanted was not brilliant happiness, but a small happiness of his own. Maybe ordinary subordinates were not even privileged to such an insignificant wish. Their fate was only to help the main characters achieve their grand happiness, and then to be forgotten.

He watched the other battle with his inner self; his eyebrows knit deeply, eyes darkened in turbulence, and face paled noticeably.

"Soon, you will be forgotten." Russia repeated, as if repetition did not serve as an unbearable reminder, as if it was just as innocent as he was. This time, in addition to his speech, he stepped forward, to capture the other nation in his comforting embrace. It was the best comfort he could give, being that he was never given comfort before in his life because of his hateful role. "It's okay~ After all, I am the big, bad Russia. I am the villain, and villains are never privileged to happiness, either~"

Russia's lips only spread wider a smile.

"You will follow me, yes? I cannot guarantee you happiness, but I can guarantee that you will never be alone."

Was annexing Lithuania part of Russia's evil plan?

Or was it motivated by another, perhaps, deeper reason?

The audience did not know.

After all, they were too absorbed in the foreground story to notice any change in the background.

END NOTES:

When you were little, you always hate those villains who get in the way of the protagonists' happiness. Then, when you grow up, you realize that nothing is purely good or purely evil.

I am taking a children's literature class right now. And when I reread those fairy tales, I cannot help but feel bad for the villains. And the minor characters. Whatever, maybe I'm just weird.

And always, thank you for reading.