I Will Remember You
(Ancient Rome x China)
Wang Yao, more commonly known as China, had seen his fair share of war. It was only to be expected, as he was practically the oldest of the nations. Whether it was between his younger siblings, or the constantly pestering Western nations, there always seemed to be something going on.
That's why he was not surprised when yet another war came around.
He was sad that he'd be fighting against Japan again, yes, but it was no surprise.
As always, he would fight for his people. For his country.
He sat through the many meetings with Alfred, Arthur, Ivan and Francis. He'd heard the stories about what the Axis was doing, and had felt their attacks on his people and land.
So, when he was called to the front lines with the other Allies, he took his place without hesitation.
Soon, a plan was devised, and the Allies took up their positions, peering over the cliff edge to see the three Axis nations relaxed around a fire.
"Alright team, here we go!" America enthused quietly, earning a nod from each of the Allies as they stepped out of the hiding place.
Japan and Germany immediately noticed, both standing, readying themselves for battle.
America let out a booming laugh, which echoed around the beach. "Hahahaha! Listen to me in my total hero voice, guys!" he yelled, making Arthur roll his eyes. "China, I choose you!" he shouted, and Yao nodded, leaping into action and landing on the beach, gaze set on his targets.
Fighting was simple really. Just detach your emotions and do what you have to.
But, as his gaze rested on Feliciano, China couldn't help but freeze. He'd never met the Italian in person, though he'd heard about him.
And now…
"So, you are China? It is a pleasure to meet you," the brunette said, bowing with a sly smile.
China nodded in greeting, "And you must be the Roman Empire. It is a pleasure to welcome you to my country, aru."
Their leaders conversed to the side, each wearing smiles at the thought of possible trade between the two nations.
"Please, call me Roma."
China took a step back, eyes wide, earning a weird look from the Axis. His eyes were locked on Italy as the memories of the past flew through his head.
He could hear the Allies yelling at him, but he couldn't move his feet.
"Yao, look what I found for you!"
The Asian nation turned, a laugh bursting from his lips as Roma came towards him, holding a large red flower. He proceeded to tuck it behind Yao's ear, giving him a peck on the cheek as he did.
China felt the blood rush to his face, and he pushed Roma back. "Aiyaa, you can't just go around kissing people all the time!"
Rome laughed, "But it's what I do!"
Rolling his eyes, Yao turned back around, inspecting the flowers in front of him. With a smile playing on his lips, he quickly picked a red flower, similar to the one in his hair, and turned. He leant forward, and tucked it behind Roma's ear, his cheeks flushing pink.
"There, we match. It would look weird if it was just one of us," he said, stepping back to admire the curly haired Empire, who grinned.
"I doubt you could ever look weird, China! Your country is beautiful!" he sang, continuing to gaze around the garden.
Yao's breath hitched, eye widening. "Pardon?"
Roma laughed, repeating himself, "You country is beautiful! It has some of the most handsome sights I've ever seen! And the fashion is really unique! It's completely different back in Rome!"
China blushed, slightly disappointed at the nation's reply, turning back to the flowers. "Y-yeah, I guess it would be, aru."
China shook his head, taking a few more steps back, cursing under his breath.
'It isn't Roma! Don't let your feelings get in the way of work, Yao!' he thought to himself.
"China, what are you doing!"
He felt a pair of strong arms wrap around his middle, and let out a yelp.
"But, I believe you are more beautiful than anything else in your country, Yao."
The deep voice sent shivers down his spine and he felt Roma's warm breath against his ear.
"R-roma," he stuttered out before his lips were captured.
It was sweet and short, and when it ended China heard a sort of whine escape from his own throat, causing the blush on his cheeks to get even worse.
Rome chuckled softly, "Te amo, Yao."
"CHINA!"
He winced as a flash of pain brought him back to the present time.
He heard gunshots and the clashing of swords all around him, and realised England was standing in front of him, face full of annoyance, though his eyes were soft, showing a hint of worry for the Asian country.
China shook his head, cursing himself rapidly. "I'm sorry. I don't know what-"
"It's okay, just get yourself together. Are you able to fight?"
China felt a smile take his lips, and he leaned into Roma. "Wǒ ài nǐ."
'I need to get out of here,' China thought, feeling his eyes prickling. He couldn't break down in front of everyone, it would disgrace his country.
He shook his head in a reply to England. "I doubt I can. I need to get away from here. I'll explain later," he said, quickly. "Could you cover for me?"
England hesitated a second, before nodding, turning away and helping America fight off Germany.
China ran into the forest surrounding the beach, not even caring where he was going, just knowing he needed to get away.
Battle calloused hands tugged lightly at his hair and Yao smirked into the kiss. Running his hands over Rome's well-toned chest, moving down his neck to the Empire's collarbone, flowering it with light kisses, occasionally sucking a bit harder and nibbling lightly, earning a few moans from his lover.
Once far enough away, China fell to the ground, the tears running freely down his cheeks.
"You're going back to Rome?" Yao was slightly embarrassed by the obvious disappointment in his voice, but he was too focused on Roma to really care.
A kiss was placed on his forehead and China watched as Rome stood from the bed with a sigh.
"I'm afraid I have to. Apparently I might be going into war soon," he said, sliding his tunic over his head.
Yao pouted, letting the bed sheets fall from his skinny figure as he moved towards his lover, wrapping his arms around the nation's waist. "I'm going to miss you, aru," he said, pressing a kiss to Roma's neck.
"I'll come back as soon as I can though! I can't leave my flower alone for too long, after all," he laughed, turning around and whisking Yao up into his arms.
Yao let out a loud sob, curling into a small ball and wrapping his arms around his legs.
"Zhùshǒu! Gǔn chū wǒ de tóu!" he cried, hanging his head.
Yao sighed, resting his paint brush in the small bowl of water beside him, studying his work. It was simple, but beautiful. A combination of the colours of gold, red and brown, though Yao wasn't really sure what the final image was.
"Yao."
China looked up and gasped at the sight before him.
Rome was stumbling through the garden, towards the Asian nation. His clothes were tattered and he was missing his armour. He looked as if he'd been walking for days, large bags under his eyes, with leave and twigs poking out of his hair.
Yao noted Rome's limp and saw his bruises. Running towards the Empire, he slipped his arms over his shoulders, leading him back to the house and into his bedroom. China laid Roma on his bed, before running form the room. He returned with a cloth and a large bowl of water, and set to carefully peeling off the injured nation's clothes.
Roma winced and occasionally let out a soft whimper, but tried to help Yao. When the Western nation was completely undressed, China gasped in horror, his hands shaking.
The Empire was covered in bruises, cuts, burns, and many other injuries, at least half of them mildly infected.
"W-what happened?" China asked, his voice shaking and tears threatening his eyes.
Roma felt a soft smile take his lips and reached to take his lover's hand, before letting out a cry of pain at the movement.
"You idiot, don't move!" Yao scolded weakly, wetting the cloth and wringing it out before setting to clean Roma's wounds.
"Yao… tantopere me paenitet."
"S-stop t-talking, you idiot."
Yao yelled into the dark forest, gripping his head, pulling at his hair.
"Stop! STOP IT!" he screamed, his body shaking.
Yao felt the warm sun on his skin before anything. He sighed, reaching around the bed to find something…someone.
Getting impatient, China opened his eyes, and bolted upright when he realised Roma wasn't there.
The Western nation had been at his house for a few days, and though his physical wounds healed, he had grown sick, and the bags under his eyes grew worse and worse.
"Rome, where are you? This isn't funny!" he called, wondering through his house.
As his search continued, he grew further worried. Surely he hadn't gone back to Rome? He was nowhere near healthy enough!
Yao wondered back to his room, and noticed the note on the floor by his bed.
Sobs echoed through the forest as Yao tried to block out the memories.
"Bù," he whimpered, gripping himself.
Yao ran as fast as he could through the unfamiliar surroundings.
"Roma! Roma!" he called, becoming more desperate by the second. He cursed under his breath, looking around, before he heard it.
It was soft, but it was definitely there.
The clashing of swords.
He dashed towards the sound, hearing it get louder and louder by the second. Just as he was about to turn the last corner, he heard a loud cry. Almost a scream.
China froze.
He knew that voice.
Taking the last few steps in a numb haze, he turned the corner.
Yao looked up at the stars through the canopy above him.
"Why, Rome? Wèishéme yào líkāi wǒ?" he asked, not bothering to wipe the tears from his face, as they kept on coming.
China barely noted the retreating form of Germania as he slowly walked to Rome's side.
"Come on Rome. Wake up, stop being stupid."
He kneeled by the nation, barely noticing the tears running down his cheeks.
"You're being an idiot. Wake up."
Yao lean over Roma, pressing their lips together softly in an attempt to get a reaction from the still nation.
That was when the barrier of numbness crumbled.
"Tā mā de! Wake up, Roma!" he cried, burying his head in the older nation's chest, sobs shaking his whole body.
Yao shut his eyes tightly, leaning back again one of the many trees that surrounded him.
He clutched the clothing resting over where his heart was, feeling hollow and empty.
He could almost hear Rome in his ear telling him he was fine, whispering sweet nothings, declaring his love.
Except, he wasn't there. He was long gone.
Yao gasped as he felt a hand against his cheek, wet with his tears, and looked to Rome's face.
His eyes were barely open and his face was pale, but the look he gave Yao made the Asian's heart soar.
He said nothing, simply holding Roma's hand to his face and wearing a small smile.
"You...you came?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"
Roma's eyes lit up at that, and he opened his mouth to speak, only to have a coughing fit. He winced, before looking back to Yao, who was stroking his forehead softly, pushing the curly mess of hair out of his lover's face.
"Yao…"
Shaking his head, Yao placed a finger on Roma's lips, shushing him softly. "Don't speak."
He undid the first few buttons on his jacket, before slipping his hands behind his neck and unclipping the chain that hung there.
Yao studied the chain and its accessory, a thin, faded, ring.
Roma smiled weakly under Yao's finger.
"Don't cry, my flower," he said, his voice barely making it to China's ears. "It doesn't suit you."
Yao took his hand, trying to smile through his tears. Roma reached up, wiping the drop from Yao's cheek with his thumb.
"Te amo, Yao."
Yao heard his voice crack, a sob ripping through his body, "T-te amo, Roma."
Rome released Yao's hand, slipping off the thin, golden ring he wore on the ring finger of his right hand. He placed it in China's palm, making the Asian close his hand around it.
"To remember me, non?"
Yao shook his head, taking the ring none the less. "I won't need to remember you, you're going to stay with me, you idiot."
Roma smiled, shaking his head. He brought Yao's hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to it.
"Vive diu, mea flos."
And with one last breath, Roma's body fell slack and his breathing stopped.
Yao closed his hand around the ring, bringing it to his chest.
"I'll always remember."
Translations (I used Google Translate, please correct me if I'm wrong!)
Te amo (Latin) - I love you.
Wǒ ài nǐ. (Chinese) - I love you.
Zhùshǒu! Gǔn chū wǒ de tóu! (Chinese) - Stop it! Get out of my head!
Tantopere me paenitet (Latin) - I am so sorry.
Bù (Chinese) - No.
Wèishéme yào líkāi wǒ? (Chinese) - Why did you leave me?
Tā mā de! (Chinese) - Damn it!/Curse it!
Vive diu, mea flos. (Latin) - Live long, my flower.
Yeeep...pretty depressing...
I got the idea and I decided to take a break from a different Hetalia fic I'm writing (I'm debating whether to post it or not) and write this. The whole time writing, I had 'Samson' by Regina Spektor on repeat... no wonder I felt like crying.
I did it in the space of half a day, and I really don't like how I ended it, so don't be surprised if I end up editing this and completely changing the ending.
I have an idea for a kind of Epilogue, but I don't know if I'll write it or not. Please, if you want to Epilogue, say so,and maybe it will inspire me! xD
Anyway, that's all for now! Feel free to review and favourite (please do) and I hope to see you all again next time I get off my lazy butt and post something!
Ciao~!