It’s actually really fun to see Latvia and Prussia interacting. They have an interesting dynamic for some reason. I like how you write them but it’s a little unclear how well they knew each other before this. I’m guessing Prussia was playing up not recognizing him/knowing his name but it seems like they attended the same events (I saw in your bio you prefer constructive criticism so am trying to give some, but I really am enjoying this story :)

Wait a minute... Has Finland been cutting?!

Saying Latvia doesnt have a lot in common with the others is a little history erasive. I just msan to correct, but Latvia and Estonia shared many many many many years together under the Knights Templar and the label Livonia, and Lithuania and Latvia are the closest Balts(not Baltics, Balts) and share the same beliefs, foods, traditions and a lot of todays culture as well. in lithuania we call latvians "braliukai", "little brothers", and say "they are the only ones that dont hate us and we dont hate". There really are a LOT of shared culture in the baltics, you just have to look a little further in it to see.

this chapter omg. America and Austria standing together is enough to cause cultural shock I see, they exist in completely different dimensions lol

omg a knife-wielding Finland! is that a Scandinavia and the World reference? anyway this story is insanely good and Austria is my favorite character, so I looove this! Also I have a new headcanon that Austria has a PhD in Psychology now thanks to this fic! I used to headcanon Austria having a doctoral degree (as opposed to Germany having a degree in chemistry/nuclear and Prussia in engineering), since I think Vienna has the largest hospital in Europe. but I never come around to figure out what kind of doctor he should be. you are a genius!

I'm not done reading yet, so this review is a bit premature, but I am frustrated, and you said on your profile that you wanted negative reviews. It is SO HARD to tell who is talking! Often it'll take me a couple of paragraphs to figure out who's talking to whom, and then I'll lose track halfway through the chapter. The only conversation that was perfectly clear was the first scene between Lithuania and Austria, because Lithuania was the one fiddling with the necklace. Other than that, it's a headache. Lines of dialogue come out of nowhere. I mean, it's a good sight better than the stories which use characters' hair color as a means of identification, but it's still irritating.

And so it ends. (Why haven't I reviewed this chapter yet? I might have missed the alert email.) Great job, and good luck with the rest of your stories!

So that's... It? It's over? Completely done? In a way, I'm surprised. It didn't quite seem like an ending chapter, you know? Still, I commend you for these seventy-seven chapters and all this time you've dedicated to the story.

One continuous mistake, a common one in fanfictions, is that you put a quotation mark at the beginning and ending of a character's thought. The correct way to do it is to italicize it and only italicize it.

I may have noticed some minor typing errors in the past, but I took a very long break from this story until I came back today to read the final six chapters. So, all I can say is that you have an immense talent for writing. Such a great insight on characters is something unique to far to few writings.

Cheers from the golden state,
-Krinos Bara

Oh my goodness, I can't believe it's over. But first things first—the review!

Ch.76:

Excellent use of unreliable narrator here. If I'm not mistaken I think this is the first (and last) time we get a chapter from Russia's point of view, and it provides a rather thought-provoking contrast to how the rest of the world sees him. It's less that he's malicious and more that he's…hopelessly misguided. ("One should always be near one's friends.") One gets the sense that there's also a fair bit of self-deception going on, especially with his contemplation of North Korea ("He must know what it's like to be so lo – isolated."). From a reader's viewpoint, Russia comes off as a deluded "road to hell paved with good intentions" sort of character who, despite knowing his lasting influence on Finland, still manages to evoke sympathy.

The end, when he stands back and just looks at the room, has some really nice imagery. There's something sad about large, empty houses, built for more people than they're occupied with. What a lonely atmosphere…

Ch.77:

This is it! The chapter that brings "Therapy" to a final close. I see you revert to third person omniscient; I don't particularly mind it, but I did find the head-hopping from Austria to Germany somewhat confusing at times. That said, I loved some of the mental dialogue here:

(('I must look like a pinwheel.')) - Ha! …And now I'm imagining Austria with a conductor's baton, making funny pinwheeling motions.

(('And he was too good at it in any case.')) - Yes, haha, Austria really bit off more than he could chew with Canada, didn't he? :)

And of course there's the final soliloquy. It's no decisive conclusion, and it definitely isn't a happily-ever-after, but even so, I could hardly imagine a more fitting ending to this story. It's quiet, thoughtful, peaceful—and throughout it all, infused with a lovely sense of hope. And I loved how the title corresponded to a thawing in the relationship between Austria and Germany, as well as Austria's general attitude toward group therapy. "Melt," indeed.

In response to your author's note, I admit that the ending came a bit abruptly for me. Thinking about it, I probably would have liked to see a bit more interaction between Austria and Prussia in these final chapters. I suppose that with, well… /that/ as their last real conversation, it just seems a bit unfinished.

I do understand, however, how these things tend to stretch. With what you /have/ done, I think the story concluded in quite an artistic way. That we see Russia in the penultimate chapter, and Austria in the last, was somehow very fitting; the narrative explores the thoughts and hearts of two characters whose roles are very much at odds with one another, and in a way…it gives the reader a sense of converging toward an understanding.

To conclude: "Therapy" has been an excellent read all around, and I'm honored to have been able to see it all the way to the end. I've grown fond of the characters that you've brought to life—Germany and Prussia and Austria and their gruff familial relationship; Lithuania and Poland with all their ups and downs; Latvia, who grew into quite the tough and confident (if surly) character; Estonia, who despite his fears and failings continues to try his best; Finland and Sweden, who really didn't deserve such a tragedy; Canada, the secret chessmaster no one remembers; and of course, America, who never fails to brighten up the mood of a chapter.

I've had a wonderful time! Thank you so much for sharing. :)

Your story is so freaking awesome please write another one

(("Sealand thinks it did," Sweden said quietly.)) This, this is heartbreaking. Oh, Sweden. D:

Lots of emotions and heavy things here—Estonia's desperate mantra, Sweden's bitingly laconic speech, and an atmosphere so thick with awkwardness and guilt it must have been enough to suffocate a horse.

Sweden isn't a very prominent character in this story by any means—he's more of a vague presence lurking in the background, referenced by others but not often seen—but I really love what you've done with this character in just a few chapters. He's a scary unfathomable guy who would probably remain stoic through any situation up to and including the apocalypse. And yet, even filtered through Estonia's terror, his grief still manages to come across (e.g. black clothes, the possible self-blame, the possible picture-that-isn't-there).

Speaking of Estonia. To voluntarily subject himself to such a harrowing, uncomfortable social situation? He's come a long way. (Admittedly, the way he phrased things probably could have been more tactful. I hardly think Sweden needs more reason to blame himself...)

Whew, it's been a while. I do believe I'm all caught up now!

Ch.72:

You know, even with that stunner of a last chapter, the death hadn't really sunk in yet. Thus this funeral scene is merciless in that regard, stark and clear and horrible in a numb and distant sort of way—kind of an "I can't believe it really happened" mixed with a little bit of "so what now?" There's an odd surrealism that goes with the thought of a nation dying (what happens the literal country?) and I can definitely see a few traces of some of the darker political ramifications, hinted at in the beginning.

I hesitate to even think about how Estonia and Latvia may have reacted to this news, given that they actually detected the depression beforehand but opted for silence. And Austria's a wreck. He's got this weird combination of caring too much and caring too little at the same time, and his frenzied guilt is really palpable, especially in the last couple of lines.

Ch.73:

This chapter is a /balm/. I swear these two have some of the most heartwarming scenes in the whole story. I love how the laughter just kind of ambushed them, and how Poland poked fun at his human name (wonderfully meta, there), and of course there's Poland's precognitive abilities on the matter of skirts. Overall, a really nice breather from the heavy atmosphere of some of the previous chapters.

…By the way, did you mean to put double quotes nested within double quotes? (("Go ahead…You're always like, "I wish…Poland is – "")) You usually go for single quotes within double quotes, so it seemed a little odd.

Ch.74:

And here we have a return of the Latvia and Germany dynamic, and all of its gruff awkwardness. I love how Latvia is able to deduce Germany's state of mind based on nothing more than his choice of contractions (or, indeed, a robotic lack thereof).

Ah, so there's what Germany was referring to, back when he considered Austria's mannerisms to be familiar. Like staring in a mirror. That must have been uncomfortable; in retrospect, I can see why he skirted around the thought.

So the tragedy with Finland ended up the impetus to hasten Germany's decision to confront Austria directly. Latvia still persists with his "wait and see" mentality, but despite that, I'm still left with the sense that this chapter is a big development.

Looking forward to seeing where this is headed. Thanks for writing, sorry for the intermittent nature of my reviews, and (on a slightly random note) Happy Lunar New Year!

i started the chapter with a poker face but by the end was grinning so wide. haha I loved it. darn you i love how their conversation ended.

the whole thing with Finland's death was really unexpected for me. It goes to show the least expected people are the ones you have to watch the most. He seemed to be suffering, yes, but to say he was suffering the most... well it shows we can't gauge people's reaction on things other people are going through. everyone has their thresholds and breaking points.

i can't help but wonder though what are the real life consequences of the actions. what happens to his citizens and his land. does it really go to sweden. geographically i guess sweden and russia makes sense.

anyway, I couldn't help but remain curious about what Russia is up to ever since the ordeal with Austria. There are so many characters being explored in this story I think you're doing a great job but I just feel like my mind keeps wandering off with even more questions... i'll be honest I can't even begin to imagine the endgame you have planned.

anyway, thanks for writing and sorry for this lame review.

Ok I am here to try to post a review for a second time. Maybe it won't be good as before but I have time to give it another shot now.

I will start out by saying I ended this chapter with a grin. It juts felt like a real step in the right direction. More real than any other step hitherto portrayed. But of course looks can be deceiving. But for the first time in the entire story I actually feel positive about something in their life/development.

As far as Finland's death goes, it came as a complete shock to me. I didn't expect that at all and I can say it made me upset but it wasn't something to make me stop reading. It'll keep me reading. I felt like it was unexpected because of everyone I always felt, from the outside perspective, he wasn't the one suffering the most in the after effect. Not to say he didn't suffer. But yes, it's just a real reminder that we can't compare someone's problems with someone else or the effect a problem will have someone or the severity of it. Ah, I don't think I can explain my thought eloquently enough. But yes I felt like it was a very grim reminder of how we can't really measure or judge the severity something is effecting someone.

Though it does make me wonder about the "real world" implication of his death. Unless I missed it. I did read that chapter a while back so yeah, but like what happens with his citizens and government. Does the land go to sweden or russia. Geography wise I'd think so. Or does it just stand alone for a time?

I am also very curious about whatever happened to Russia since the whole Austria ordeal. I mean obviously i can imagine he's suffering sanctions or something. the story doesn't focus on his side of the thing at all so i can't expect much in that i suppose. BUT i will say I am enjoying every moment of this fic and a big part of my enjoyment is coming from the fact that I cannot predict what your possible endgame for all of this even is.

It really keeps me going. Keep it up

annnnd i just realized my review i just sent... i wasn't logged in! ah sorry this is me. i sent the long rambling review