It took a while to realize that Estonia had the patience of a saint.

Though they lived together twice already, Lithuania didn’t see much of him during Commonwealth days (not that he knew him well enough, or long enough, to really form a proper friendship) and he had other things on his mind during their first round of living under Russia’s roof.

But now, they only have each other. Russia seems more agitated these days and saying the wrong thing could provoke a nasty response. Unfortunately that seemed to be Latvia’s special talent and Lithuania always swears under his tongue.

Are you trying to get us killed?!

But Estonia never seems to be too far away and he never seems to flinch. When Russia snaps at him, Estonia takes it, says nothing, and walks away when when everything is done and over with. His resilience is admiring but also frightening to some degree.

It was late in the evening, after Russia retired for the night, when Lithuania decided to pay him a visit. He found Estonia sitting by the window and was finishing the last of his smoke. The lights in the room are so dim he can barely see his surroundings. But Estonia lets him take a seat next to him. He appreciates the company.

“How do you do it?”

“Do what?”

“You never seem to fight back when Russia takes his anger out on you.”

Estonia turns his head away and stares out into the Moscow cityscape. The moon seems to be brighter than than the lights in his room.

“It’s not worth it. Men like him can’t be reasoned with. Take it from someone who’s been a servant to everyone else for centuries.”

He took one final drag and flicked the rest out into the street. “The key is to work behind the scenes. Hit them when they least expect it. It takes longer, yes, but the end result is always worth it.”

“What if your plan backfires?”

“I’ve done the calculations. It shouldn’t. The ones that can’t be reasoned with are the same ones that will self-destruct the fastest.” Estonia abruptly rose from his seat and nearly startled Lithuania that he gasped loudly. He walked towards his night table and grabbed his case of smokes and a lighter. He kindly offered a smoke to Lithuania, who accepted, and took another for himself. He sat back down and lit up both cigarettes. Lithuania didn’t realize how badly he needed one after the events of this past evening and was feeling a little less anxious.

“I’ll tell you a secret. I’m just as terrified as both of you. I simply don’t show it. I refuse to show any emotion to him. He doesn’t deserve anything from me. People have been trying to get rid of me for over a thousand years. I’m still here and I’ll be here for another thousand, if it’s the last thing I do.”

Lithuania has never admired Estonia as much as he did at this very moment. He hopes everything works out in the end for him, for all of them.