Title: Heart of the Dream Reaper.
Yay for my first English Hetalia fanfiction. So, this weekend I went a lot into fan games and stuff, and had inspiration to write, how neat. However, uh, this is based heavily out of Dreamtalia, I spent the whole day trying to finish it (yay for Saiko, she helped me on some dead ends ;w;). If you have not played dreamtalia or seen a gameplay, I highly recommend for you to do so, for this will not be understandable if you haven't. The plot starts where the May 2016 update left it. Enjoy.
Warnings: Possible heavy shipping, use of their Arcana names (and the invention of new ones, like Germany's, Austria's, Italy's, France's and England's).
"I have a gift for you, close your eyes." The brunette did as he was told, nodding softly while expecting Germany to tell him to open them again. "You can open them now."
His eyelids fluttered open, auburn irises looking around himself and Germany for any changes. Then he patted his head and found an item there. "Ve? A flower crown?"
He felt such warmth at seeing the satisfied smile on Italy he could not help do the same thing. "Ja, I Made it myself! Do you like it?"
"Mmmm." He hummed in consideration for a couple of seconds before shaking his head while smiling sheepishly. "No." His smile faded.
"...W-what?..." He stumbled upon words, barely processing the answer the Italian had given to him. He had thought Italy would like it!
"I love it!" He sighed in relief. Love was good, he decided.
"It's a symbol of our friendship~ beautiful, thriving and only for you!" The blonde tilted his head, a smile of pure bliss plastered on his Germanic face. "I know I have things to do," sadness threatened his tone, "but I promise to spend as much time with you as I can."
"Because friends are very important."
"Yaaaay!" Italy cheered. "Shall we go do something, then?"
"That sounds like a good idea," he agreed. "Now come on, let's go to the wheat field. I heard that's the best place for cloud gazing and siesta taking!"
"Yes~!" He followed Germany as he walked to said spot, slowing down until hearing his voice call to him.
" Is something wrong?" Even though he was concerned, the happy-bliss expression did not leave his face, and Italy could not help smile himself.
"Ve~ it's just that I'm so happy right now~" he mumbled as he caught up to his BFF.
"...Me too… for the first time in centuries…" even though the last sentence was spoken very low, Italy had heard it perfectly.
"What was that?"
"Uh, nothing. Let's go."
It had indeed been a long time since he had last felt the warmth of human affection. Even so, it felt right, as if it had been what he needed all along these years to feel fulfilled.
And for him, Fauchereve would do everything in his power to prevent the other from reaching Italy. As selfish as it may sound, this was the first prey that he longed to stay with not for the power their soul could hold, but for genuine interest towards the human (or whatever Italy was) he had chosen as The Main Host.
So he took one last breath and braced himself for a whole afternoon spent with that wonderful being of auburn hair, a great love for pasta and a pure soul that could enlighten his before solitary days.
He could now understand Germany's feelings towards the brunette and his powerful desire to get him back safe and sound from Dreamland. But of course Fauchereve would not give up his host. After all, one does not find such a specimen every day.
"Please lead the way, Japan." Canada's voice soothed the raven-haired boy's shaky state, the shock of watching fake China kill his "brothers" was still lingering on his memories, and having seen the real China a few moments after that happened did not help his mental state at all.
"Yes, I think Moon mentioned there were enough spare rooms for us to rest." Japan walked slowly, as if expecting another Arcana to come out of one of the rooms at any moment. He stopped in front of the last one in that row and entered through the sliding doors, making his way towards the wardrobe. He took two futons and extended one to Canada. "I hope you don't mind sleeping in futons, Canada-kun, this being an Oriental-style house and all it doesn't have beds."
"It's okay, Japan, we don't mind." Canada wandered around the small room, taking into the little objects decorating the walls and furniture. "Wow, Asian houses sure are beautiful… they are simple yet elegant."
"Thank you for your compliments, Canada-kun, I appreciate them." Japan tried to bow but flinched a little upon feeling the wounds in his stomach tug his organs. Canada hurried to help him.
"Careful," he said." "C'mon, let's go to the bathroom to treat your wounds." He passed Japan's arm above his shoulder and guided him to the bathroom, which, unlike the rest of the house, looked like an average American one. As daintily as he could, he placed Japan to sit in the toilet and looked around for a first-aid kit. But behind the cabinet, there was no plastic bag with a red-cross in the center; staring into Canada's soft purple irises, were a pair of blue ones of a fairy.
"Hello, traveler, would you like to buy something?" The merchant fairy asked. Canada blinked.
"Uh, do you, by any chance, have something to heal my friend over there?" He pointed to the toilet and the fairy nodded, handing him a cheeseburger. "…A burger?"
"Yes, but not any burger, they have special fairy properties that enhance normal human healing. Also, they taste great!" Canada giggled a little, finding the fairy's enthusiasm towards fast food hilariously like America's.
"Fine then, could you by any chance, give me two? I fear I'm a little hurt too." The fairy smiled.
"If your wounds are minor, then I would rather recommend Pasta."
"Okay then, I will take four Cheeseburgers and four Pasta, if it's not a bother, may I ask how much will I be paying?"
"One thousand and two hundred hetacoins," Canada nodded and handed the fairy said dreamland currency, he received thankful the products and thanked, once more, the fairy for its help. "Thank you for your purchase, come back soon!"
"I'm sure I will!" He closed the cabinet and walked back to Japan. "The fairy said that you should eat a cheeseburger, it will heal your wound faster than normal," he looked around in his pockets and felt relieved when he found a bandage.
"Would you like me to place the bandage or you'd rather do it yourself?"
Japan took both the burger and the bandage before bowing his head to the North American. "I think I would better do it myself, Canada-kun. I'm already being too much of a nuisance as it is, go meet the other, I'm sure they'll appreciate the food." Canada nodded and went the way the rest of his allies had. He found Germany and England fighting over sleep arrangements.
"If you are so against it, then I shall go with Russia and China!" The German's voice echoed all the way through the main entrance.
"Da~ let him sleep with me and become one with Russia~"
"Aiyah…" China stepped away a few inches from his friend. Canada knocked shyly in the door, and flinched a little in his place when all eyes were on him.
"S-sorry, am I interrupting something important?" Russia smiled as he approached him and embraced him to the center of the room.
"Of course not, Temperance, please suit yourself. Everyone, please be nice to Temperance, da~?" Canada blushed a little at hearing that name, remembering that time not so long ago where they had to rescue him from his dreamland prison.
"U-uh, my name is C-canada!" He squealed, hoping he wouldn't anger Devil.
"I know, it's just I love how you react to your Arcana name~"
England sighed and spoke before Canada blushed himself to combustion. "Did you have something to tell us, Canadia?"
"It's Canada!" He wriggled trying to get out of Russia's arms around him. "And yes, I do have something to tell you guys," he slid his hand in his pocket and took out the cheeseburgers and pasta from the fairy. "There was a fairy in the cabinet that sold me these," he explained. "It told me that these," he raised the pasta a little, "could heal minor wounds, and these" he raised the cheeseburgers, "could heal mayor wounds, such as those Japan had."
"Jolly good, mate," cheered England, taking a cheeseburger for himself. "May I ask where that fairy is? I might want to buy a few scones later on."
"Ugh, you and your ugly scones, Angleterre." Teased France.
"Shut up, bloody frog! Those 'ugly scones', as you call them, saved your life more than once." France shrugged and left the matter behind, not daring to contradict the British.
"Uh, she was in the bathroom where I was tending Japan's wounds, I suppose he must be asleep now." England nodded, not wanting to question further. Canada handed the food around depending on their health state, leaving France, Russia, America and himself with pasta, and the cheeseburgers going to England, Germany and China (aside from the one he had given to Japan).
"So, England, what will our strategy be from now on?" Asked Germany, frowning a little at the strange taste of fast food. "I mean, we need to know at least a little about the enemy territory, and weaknesses and stuff like that. And China's doppelganger escaped killing Moon, the only person who seemed capable of telling us information. Aside of Devil and Hermit, but they are dead too."
"Da~ Devil was a nice person~ even though he was a little frightening…"
"I dare to say you are more frightening, aru."
"You're such a meanie~"
"Well, I suggest we rest now that our tummies are full. We cannot form strategies with a sleep-clouded mind, can we?" The rest of the room agreed. "I think I'll share room with the damn frog."
"I want to share room with little Temperance~" Canada felt a chill.
"I think I'll guard in case enemies are coming, would you mind keeping me company, Mr. Germany?"
"Not at all, Canada," Germany walked out of the room and Canada followed straight behind, ignoring the pouting face of Russia.
"Yo, I think I'll go sleep with Japan, I bet he must feel lonely…" said America to no one in particular.
"Aiyah, I guess I'll sleep with Russia, aru." Russia's pouting turned into his usual childish smile.
"That's fine by me."
Italy closed his eyes, enjoying the sweet summer breeze blowing on his face. "Vee~ this afternoon is almost perfect," he said. "Cloud-gazing with you, Germany, in a sunny day with no worries about war whatsoever, and you being such a friendly person."
"I've always been a friendly person with you, Italy. You're my best friend, how could I be anything else than that?" Germany questioned amused.
"Vee~ it's just that before entering this place you were very buff and concerned about training and other boring stuff," he pursed his lips, remembering his constant scolding. "But I'm happy that changed! I get to spend more bonding time you!"
"I'm also glad we both came here, Italy. This world is now perfect with you here…"
"Do you know what would make it more perfect?"
"What?"
"Having Gino here!" Germany blinked.
"Who?" He didn't remember some nation called Gino…
"My kitty," Italy explained. "You know, you used to scold me because I went to pet him and play with him instead of training, the black fluffy one?"
"Oh, him." He sighed, realizing he wouldn't have to actually remember someone. "Yeah, I remember him." He, too, closed his eyes, enjoying the bliss of the moment.
"I'm happy to be here with you, Germany."
"Me too. Do you promise to stay here with me forever?" Italy 'Vee'-ed happily.
"Of course I do. If only I can find Gino and eat pasta, that is."
Germany smiled softly at Italy's requests. "Anything for my BFF."
And he continued gazing at the sky, hoping that tomorrow's sky could be that tone of blue, too.
"Is something the matter, Mr. Germany?" Asked Canada a few minutes after their guard had started. Germany just sighed.
"Nothing specifically, I guess it's just the stress of having to go all this way to rescue Italy from an unknown magical creature that might just kill him (or us for that matter) any minute." He rubbed his eyes, hoping to calm the slight stinging in his eyes. "And remembering that I have paperwork to do once I get back to our world doesn't help at all the stomach ache that is sure to come."
"Ah, I see." Canada sat on one of the pillows in the main hall and motioned for Germany to do the same. "If something specifically is bothering you about Italy's case, you can talk to me about it, I'm a good listener, oui?" Germany frowned.
"Why would you help me? I mean, I'm the enemy…"
"You're not a bad person, Mr. Germany, I know you care deeply about Italy and feel useless for taking so long in rescuing him."
Germany shifted a little in the cushion, he almost felt like he was at Japan's and all he was missing was a steaming cup of green tea (aside from the sound of Italy flirting with pretty Japanese girls). "Ja, thanks for the offer."
Both remained quiet for a little longer, admiring silently the place; the cushions suddenly felt uncomfortable to Germany so he got up and brushed away invisible dust from his pants.
"I'm going to the kitchen to see if they have tea, whenever I go to Japan's he always offers me so it's kind of a custom," he explained. "Would you like some?"
"Yes, thank you," he followed Germany to the kitchen, wondering idly if they had maple syrup… in case they didn't, he remembered always bringing a spare bottle for hypothetical situations like these.
Germany rummaged through the room until he found two medium-sized metal cylinders with some Chinese writing on them; if he remembered correctly from the little kanji Japan had taught him, they were types of teas. "Would you like Oolong or Black tea?" He asked, hoping he had read the names right.
"Black is fine by me, I think," Germany nodded and looked around for the remaining items needed to make the tea. Once everything was set and ready he placed the pot in the stove and waited for the water to boil.
"Italy is a very… difficult person to handle," Germany said, regarding their previous conversation. "He's always skipping training, he only thinks of eating pasta and flirting with pretty girls, he runs away in battles…" he trailed off, leaning on the counter.
"And…?" Encouraged Canada.
"And what?"
"Well, there must be something in him for you to handle all that on a daily basis and still hold him so dearly to your heart," Germany's cheeks dusted pink, feeling his body suddenly grow warm. "Oh, don't be shy, it is no secret to anyone you two care deeply for one another, we wonder just how close you are."
"Ja," Germany sighed and placed his hand on his face, just what was it with Italy? "He…" he gulped. "Italy… he's always cheery, always smiling, you know? Even when he knows the enemy is right on our heels, he shows himself as the happy one." A soft smile settled on his normally stern features. "Remember that one time we were stranded on an island? He was always the one doing silly things and notifying me about it; when he found something strange, when a fish was nibbling his toes, every time he built a giant, sand-made pasta figure, 'captain, I found a crab!'" He let out a small, breathy, wholehearted laugh. "He may surrender easily to his enemies in battle, but he never surrenders to despair and sadness, and that is gut in times like these." He handed Canada his tea.
"Thank you," Canada sweetened it and sipped it slowly. "So it is his childlike innocence that has called out for you?"
Germany shrugged. "If you want to think it that way."
"I must say those are very rare features on a person nowadays, when we rescue Italy, please, never let him go, Mr. Germany."
"Will do." He let out a yawn and stretched himself. "Even though it is night here all the time and therefore we can't tell for sure what time it is, my biological clock tells me it's near dawn; would you like to ask France and America to relieve us?"
"Yeah, that would be nice indeed." They both washed the utensils used and as they cocooned themselves in their futons, they descended into a peaceful slumber.
Germany groaned a little at the unpleasant sensation of artificial light being focused in his face, he blinked a couple of times, trying to adjust his pupils to the whitish luminescence.
"Ah, I see you are awake now, Doitsu-san," greeted Japan entering the room with a tray. "Furansu-san and I got in charge of the kitchen while Igirisu-san and Nii-sa— uh, Chuugoku-san made tea for everyone (aside of Igirisu-san taking the liberty of preparing scones, not the magical variety, though). Canada-kun is still asleep and America-san is suggesting some strategies."
"Is that so?" Germany sat up in his bed and received the tray Japan handed him, he eyed the carefully-made rice balls and the chopped fruit with oatmeal.
"Hai, he seems unusually serious," he pointed out. "Not once has he mentioned a plan that has him as a hero, they are actual plans with good thinking behind them."
"Well, I guess it must be the circumstances," he suggested, grabbing a rice ball and eagerly munching on it. He hummed in pleasure at the flavor. "Tastes good."
"Thank you for your compliments, Doitsu-san," Japan bowed as it was customary in his home to do so. "Please enjoy the rest of your meal and come back to the main hall when you are finished." He bowed once again and stepped out of the room.
"I will, thank you, Japan."
"My pleasure, Doitsu-san." And he closed the door.
"Germany, Germany, let's go swimming!" Begged an excited Italian as he shook his companion now laying slightly dizzy in the prairie.
"Uh, sure, let's go…" no later had he said that, Italy was running towards the nearby lake and, in the blink of an eye, undressed himself, leaving him only in his underwear.
Italy swam all over the expanse lake of that wonderland, enjoying himself with the freshness only cold water could bring to his body. He dived and tried finding fishes to catch and show to his captain, only to find none in that place.
"Germany, there are no fishes here…" he pouted, splashing some water onto his best friend.
"Is that so? If you wish, we could go search for another lake or a river that has fishes in it," he offered, the bright smile still plastered in his face.
"Yay!" Italy cheered, and as he pulled himself out of water, his stomach started to growl with hunger. "Huh, I didn't notice I was hungry, I guess that with spending all day having fun with you I didn't notice it had passed so much time, haha!"
Germany frowned a little, then when he thought of something. "Italy?"
"Yes, Germany?" Italy tilted his head to the side, wondering what his captain had to say.
"Would you mind waiting here for a moment or two? I have a gift for you."
"Oh, sure!" Italy's face enlightened with joy. "I bet it will be something as pretty as the flower crown you gave me~"
"Close your eyes, Italy, no cheating~…"
"No cheating, promise!" He closed his eyes and clasped his hand over them, counting in his mind as if they were playing hide and seek.
"Okay, you can open them now," Germany's voice came back before he could reach 100, and when he took in the sight of what Germany had in his hands, his enthusiasm became bigger.
"Is that pasta?" He motioned to the plate being given, Germany nodded.
"Yes, I had it done a few moments before you entered the lake and barely remembered about it. I hope you like it…"
Italy took the fork with enthusiasm and twirled it around the pasta. He entered the mouthful into his mouth and let his taste buds take charge of measuring Germany's cooking. He hummed in delight and nodded.
"I knew you were good cooking potatoes, and… potatoes and… more potatoes, but I never guessed you had a talent for pasta! This flavor my brother achieved it after years of trying!"
"I'm glad you liked it."
"Of course I'll like everything you do, Germany!"
Germany took a deep, fortifying breath, and let himself in the room. It was time to stop pushing random buttons.
"Very well, what is our plan going to be?"