Ciao~ It's Dai, or as I've changed my screen name to, Amante Delle Arti, which literally means "Lover of Arts" in Italian. Anyway, I'm rather into Hetalia: Axis Powers now, so I'll be writing a bunch of one-shots for my favorite pairings. Like this one, for HRExChibitalia! It'll be super-fluffy...which is hard to avoid with this pairing. Heh... on with the story, then!
Title: Red Ribbons
Pairing: HRExChibitalia
Rated: K
Summary: In which Holy Rome remembers happier times, and young Italy hopes those times return soon.
-x-
This is too much... I don't know how long I'll be able to go on...
Holy Rome was tired; not like he never was, though. The small Empire had been struggling to stay alive for ages. His morale was weak, and few things could keep him going.
Scratch that- only one thing kept him going.
That same sweet smile that sent electricity through his veins so long ago; the kind, soothing voice that set his heart afloat so many times.
But that was then, and this was now. Those bittersweet memories were just that, and there would be no turning back. Holy Rome knew it wasn't much longer until the end came, and he would embrace it with regretful grace. He would shed no tears; only those inside of his heart, which hurt the most.
-x-
Time passed, and Holy Rome was heard from no more.
Now, young Italy still waits for his first love, the Holy Roman Empire, to return once again.
He is not strong like Holy Rome was, and the tears he sheds are both inside and out. Not even his favorite dish, pasta, could cure this loneliness that sticks to his heart like glue.
He remembers that last kiss, and the promise that he knew Holy Rome couldn't keep. He'd said he would return to Italy, but now, centuries later, Italy still waited. He looks at the old red ribbon tied to his finger, and wishes that those times could be revived.
-x-
As he grew weaker and weaker, Holy Rome would think of the small maid holding his hand, and he would be happy, even for a moment. The tiny red ribbon remained on his finger, even on the battlefield. He chuckled as he remembered when he'd made his troops stop for three hours, because he'd lost the ribbon. The small laugh eventually weakened, and Holy Rome wished he could have kept that promise he'd made to his lover so long ago.
"Holy Rome, wait!" the small maid grabbed the empire's hand. Holy Rome turned around. "Wh-what is it?"
"I... I want you to have this..." Chibitalia placed a small red ribbon around Holy Rome's finger.
"A...red string?"
"I, uh... I read it in a story...the red string will tie us together, and...we'll be together forever, even when we're apart!" the young nation explained with a bittersweet smile.
"Italy..." Holy Rome whispered. "I... accept your feelings. What do you do with people you like in your house?"
"Oh, well, uh... kiss, I guess." Italy stuttered, his face taking on a pink tint.
"I...I see."
The blonde empire took Italy's face in his hands, and placed a light kiss upon his lips.
He pulled away after the kiss, blushing madly. "Well... I guess this is good-bye. I'll return someday." He turned around to leave once again.
Italy watched Holy Rome walk away, and shouted, "I-I'll wait! I'll always wait..."
Holy Rome turned his head, and smiled softly. "No matter how long... I'll always love you."
And he left Italy quickly, not wanting to see his love cry.
But that was then, and the vow he'd made was now dust in the wind.
Oh-so quietly, Holy Rome whispered, "If only...I'd have stayed...we could have been together...forever..."
And the great Holy Roman Empire fell.
-x-
Fin
-x-x-x-
Augh, this tore me apart to write. But it had to be done!
Reviews are like pasta to Italians. :)
-Amante Delle Arti
P.S.- this fanfiction was inspired by a cosplay skit. The red ribbon idea came from that, as did the scene in italics.
