I was going to hold off, but I decided I'd be nice and let you all see this! Wow...MoonstoneMagic13 & Lady Cooper...can you read my mind? Italy was always planned to remember. *Hands over cookies.*
I should explain how this story came about. Aside from it being a post-HetaOni, I thought about America's suffering. No doubt everyone suffered psychologically (many would argue Italy suffered the most), but I thought about America. He went in there, thinking he could save everyone... but death after death had to affect him. So this is how the story came to be.
Italy listened to Germany rant about the upcoming strategy he had come up with. Out of loyalty, Italy nodded and followed through; allowing Germany to inform him on the plan the Italian nation would most definitely not carry out. Germany seemed to have figured this out already, but he kept ordering Italy anyways, simply because he needed to relay this info to someone. The only one listening was Japan, who stood beside the Italian. Japan was always better then Italy with following orders.
There had been a subtle change in Italy that made the others look at him weirdly. One instance was that he was able to tie his own shoes. That had thrown Germany for a loop, considering the other nation was always requesting him to do it for him. Another was that Italy no longer slept in Germany's bed, which relieved the blond nation greatly.
Neither of his allies knew that the change had been because of the events of the mansion. None of them had known about the events, causing Italy to shut up about it. He was grateful none of them remembered it because he couldn't stand the thought of them remembering all the deaths and blood; it was too much for even Italy to bear. He had changed how he interacted with the others, mainly being more caring to his other Axis allies. He told his brother that he loved him more (which, understandingly, freaked Romano out). For a while, his friends had thought he was someone else, but a pasta-test made it clear that he was truly Italy, though they still didn't understand the change in him.
"We're off now," Germany said as he brought his explanation to a close.
"Right," Italy said at the same time he heard Japan say, "Hai."
Italy looked across from him at the Allies who had assembled before him. Prussia, Romano and Spain were in their own countries, leaving the trio to face off against the five Allies (hadn't there been a sixth?...maybe he was imagining things). He didn't look forward to facing them in battle, remembering their mangled bodies. From the looks of their assembled group, all of them seemed normal, much like his allies... except America.
The normally loud nation was no longer the boy he had remembered from before the mansion and even from what he began to know during those events. He stood with his shoulders slumped, not bothering to look at anyone. He wore bags under his eyes, and he looked thinner than Italy remembered.
Could the youngest member remember the events with the creature?
"We are not surrendering to the likes of you, Axis Powers," England said, drawing Italy out of his thoughts. When had they been talking?
Germany held his luger at England, who was acting as the leader for the group since America wasn't taking the position; he was the most qualified since he'd been fighting Germany every step of the way since day one.
"You cannot win this time," Germany said with confidence.
"Everyone...just stop," America said in a rather weak voice, causing everyone to look at him like he had a second head.
America didn't blush or falter under their gazes; he looked at them with a very tired expression. Italy's heart beat in compassion for the poor boy; he looked like death walking in a bomber jacket.
"I'm tired of all this stupid fighting. It's getting us nowhere," America responded.
"Are you serious America?" China questioned, holding his wok in an obvious preparation for battle.
"I am. I'm just tired...tired of all this," America sighed as he walked away.
The other nations watched the youngest member walk away, but only Italy could relate. Knowing how scared he was to fight his "enemies," he could relate to America. His actions only confirmed that America was like him; he remembered the events from the mansion (although it seemed he was suffering more from those memories than himself). England didn't hesitate in following after America, the concern on his face there without a care for who would see it. France followed shortly after because he didn't dare want to fight without England and America backing him up. China decided to follow his allies. Russia glanced at the Axis, and Italy tensed in fear while Germany and Japan got ready to fight. Russia could have easily taken them on, but he decided to spare the three and followed more slowly after his allies, possibly deciding that America's personality change was much better than seeing his enemies suffer (this didn't mean he wouldn't make them suffer).
Italy released a sigh of relief, but wondered on how he'd find the American so they could talk.
"Hold on America," England said as he ran to catch up to his former charge.
America stopped and turned to look at England, not looking into his eyes though. Remembering how many months ago England couldn't see was enough to scar America forever. England stopped several feet from America, wondering how to approach the man. He didn't want to spook the American enough that he'd run away.
"What's been happening to you lately?" England questioned.
"What do you mean?" America asked bluntly.
"Don't play dumb," England responded. "You haven't been acting yourself lately. You don't mention being a hero at any time of the day, you're hardly eating, you look like you haven't been sleeping for months-"
"I'm fine England," America whispered with a sigh.
"Fine?" England demanded. "You are most certainly not fine."
"I am...I promise..." America responded.
"America, you can tell me anything," England said, speaking with honest sincerity. It was very rare that he would open himself up like he was at that moment, but he needed to show America that he would be there for him. "I won't hurt you; whatever it is, I'll help you through it."
America raised his head to finally look at England, but when his blue eyes met England's green orbs, he got a flash of pale green eyes staring back at him. Clenching his eyes shut, he shook the image away.
"I...I can't... none of you would understand," America responded shakily.
"Try me," England said with a weak smile. "What's happened to make you this way that I haven't already been through?"
America shook his head more adamantly and walked away.
"I just...I'm fine England. Don't worry about me." And with that, the American retreated, leaving England to himself.
The island nation's shoulders slumped, but he didn't dare chase the American. He was hurt at being rebuffed and wasn't sure how to proceed. It was obvious the American was pushing him away (which wasn't a surprise due to their history), but even this seemed out of norm for the other nation.
America...what's wrong? Please...I don't want to see you hurt, the older man thought as tears formed at the corner of his eyes.
