Hey everyone! I've had this idea for quite a while now, and I just wanted to get it out in the open before it drove me crazy. It's my first attempt at a real fic, so all constructive criticism, advice, and encouragement is REALLY appreciated. So, without further ado, let's start the fic!
Hetalia is owned by Himaruya
The clamor in the station was deafening. Italy could barely see through the crowd of people, jostling him this way and that. It was all he could do to keep a tight hold on Germany's elbow as he muscled his way through the crowded train station. Everyone was vying for a seat on that train, the train that would take them somewhere safe, away from all the mayhem. A train whistle blew, making Italy jump a little as he clutched even tighter to Ludwig's sleeve. He looked over his shoulder at the other two, Romano and Gilbert, as they all clung to each other like life lines in a tumultuous sea of bodies.
"Hurry Feliciano! The train is leaving soon!"
'Germany sounds especially tense today...', he thought. 'Well, who can blame him, really? He is partially responsible for this fiasco.'
Italy cast a nervous glance at the German citizens around them. Everything was total chaos, barely being kept under control by the German Army officers on duty in the station.
'It all started nine months ago...', he mused. A group of American and German scientists had finally found a cure for cancer that could be turned into a vaccine. At last people could live life without the fear of contracting the often deadly disease.
'Too bad they couldn't predict that this would happen', he thought bitterly. His gaze wandered over to the other side of the station. In the main atrium of the station, a large area had been sectioned off. People were being herded inside like zoo animals. Families were being torn apart as mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, daughters, and sons were unceremoniously shoved inside- identified under one title.
'Darkseekers.'
About three months after the vaccines were released, reports started coming in. People were getting sick; they started acting strange- getting third degree burns from sunlight, odd skin coloration, crying tears of blood, extreme hunger, among other things. It quickly escalated to hospitalizations, attacks, and deaths.
'Well, if you count turning into a blood-lusting, flesh-crazed monster as dying.' Yes, Germany, with America's assistance, had inadvertently caused a zombie epidemic. And now it was threatening to engulf the entire world in a wave of madness. Italy felt a sharp jab in his back.
"Hey! Look alive fratello, macho man got us to the front." Italy glared at Romano and looked at Germany, who was arguing with one of the soldiers letting healthy people on the train.
"I'm sorry sir, there's only room for three more people in this car, any more would be too much of a safety hazard." Gilbert stepped in.
"What about the other cars? We'll ride in freight if we have to-"
"I'm sorry sir, but every car is full."
In the midst of the crowds, all the sounds suddenly seemed very far away. Italy was only aware of their little rag-tag group, dressed as if they were going on a long hiking trip through the Alps; winter coats, hiking packs, and all, even though it was only September. But none of that mattered, because on that platform, all four of them came to the same, inevitable, yet no less heart-wrenching conclusion.
'One of us is going to have to stay behind.'
Seconds seemed to stretch into minutes, which seemed to stretch into hours. They all looked at each other, waiting for the answer which none of them wanted to hear, yet they prayed someone else would provide, to save them from having to volunteer. They scarcely dared to breathe.
"I'll stay."
The sounds of the station came back all in a sudden rush, yet at the same time, Italy felt his heart drop into his stomach. He looked up at Germany, the man he loved with all his heart and soul. A painful ump was starting to form in his throat.
"Germany-" Said Nation silenced his plea with a cold glare. Ludwig directed his gaze to the other two Nations and cleared his throat.
"I'll stay behind, and there's no point in arguing now, I've made my decision. So be quiet and listen to what I'm about to say, because I'm only going to say it once." He turned to address his brother.
"Gilbert," the albino ex-Nation looked as he'd just been stunned, "take care of yourself, don't let your pride keep you from being truly happy." The Nation formerly known as Prussia blinked once, twice and nodded jerkily, not trusting himself to speak. Ludwig nodded to himself, turning now to address the older of the two Italians, whom he was surprised to see looked a little sad to see him go.
"Romano," Ludwig's voice was a touch gentler now,"I know we haven't exactly gotten along in the past, but I have a favor to ask." Romano looked up, shocked. Germany continued, "I need you to look after your brother while I'm gone, please?" Romano raised his eyebrows in surprise, gaping like a fish for a few seconds, but managed a grunt in reply. Ludwig expected as much, and moved on to the final member of the group. His heart gave a painful lurch when he looked at Feliciano, the only Nation- no, the only person, he'd ever made a true connection with.
'And fallen head over heels in love with,' said the little voice in the back of his head. It was true, he loved the little Italian, loved him with every fiber of his being. And it broke his heart to see him weeping like this now. Choking back a sob, Ludwig gathered his lover into a rough and desperate kiss. Romano flushed angrily and looked away. Pulling back, Ludwig gazed into those bottomless brown eyes he loved so dearly and wiped a few stray tears off Feli's cheek with his thumb. He cleared his throat to speak again.
"Feliciano;" his voice broke a little, he swallowed.
"Feliciano, you were the first friend i ever had, my first true connection outside of my family. You know I love you more than anything in the world, and that I would do everything in my power to ensure your safety-"
"Ludwig, n-no I c-can't d-do this without you, I'm not strong enough-" Italy was in hysterics now, but Germany shook him gently, his own voice thick with tears.
"Italy, listen to me. Yes. You. Are. I love you. I believe in you. I know you can." Ludwig reached into his shirt and pulled a chain over his head. A ring was on it, like the kind one receives for graduating from a high school, college, or university. He placed it around Feliciano's neck. Italy looked at the ring, much too large for his own fingers. It was from Humboldt-University of Berlin, silver, with the seal of the school on it. Ludwig's name, class year, and degree were engraved on the ring too.
"Feliciano, Ich liebe dich, and I promise, no matter what happens, I will find you-" he looked up; the train's conductor was yelling something-
"ALL ABOARD!"
"Scheiße!" he cursed under his breath. "Get on, NOW!" he shoved the other three on the train, and watched nervously as they found an open window. All three of them stuck their heads out,just as the train started to pull away. Ludwig was crying openly now, but he honestly couldn't give a rat's ass about that right now. All he could do was keep up his pace as he ran alongside the train as it gradually gathered speed. His only rational thought was to keep his Italy in his sights as long as possible.
"I'LL FIND YOU FELICIANO! I SWEAR IT!" He had to shout, else the noisy locomotive would drown him out completely. He kept running until the platform ended, fenced off by a metal railing. Ludwig gripped it as hard as he could until his knuckles were white, needing support, otherwise he feared his legs might give way. Furiously wiping tears from his eyes, he kept watching the train as it moved away, carrying his lover off to a nearby port, where he would be put on a boat that would take him somewhere safe.
Once the train finally disappeared out of sight, Ludwig felt his knees buckle, and he sunk down into deep despair on the cold train station floor. Hugging his knees to his chest, he finally let go. Agonizing sobs racked his strong frame. Never before had he felt such a raw heartache, almost as though his heart had been gouged out of his chest with a rusty spoon, leaving an empty vacuum in its place.
Either God took pity on the poor nation, the exhaustion of the past nine months had at last sunk in, or the loss of the love of his life had completely shut him down; but soon enough, sleep began to tempt him. But before he succumbed to the peaceful bliss only unconsciousness can provide, one final, determined purpose ran through his mind, repeating itself over and over again like a mantra; simultaneously soothing the dull ache beginning to form in his head and setting every nerve of his body on alight with the fire of pure strength and determination.
His voice scarcely above a whisper, he repeated it to himself, as if he were saying the rosary.
"Ich werde dich finden."
Translation Notes:(from Google Translate)
- Ich liebe dich = I love you
- Scheiße! = Shit!
- Ich werde dich finden. = I will find you
Okay! So, that's it for Chapter 1 of Learning to Stand. I hope you enjoyed it! I had a hard time writing the romantic stuff, I hope it didn't come out too cheesy. Anyways, if I made an error in the translating, if you would like to provide some constructive criticism, or just wanna be heard, feel free to write a review! Until next time, keep your pens sharp!
-argella1300
