A/N: I realized now that I may have switched up between the nations' human names and their countries. I will be doing that throughout the rest of the story because I can never make up my mind as to which name to use. So I'm using them both. As for the updates, they might start to get infrequent, it just depends on how constant my inspiration is. It took me a little longer than I would have liked to get through this chapter, but it is what it is. Anyway, please enjoy this chapter and don't forget to drop me a review to let me know what you think. :)
When I awoke, the sky was still dark. Looking over at the nightstand, the clock read 5:45. I groaned inwardly and began to throw aside the covers to get ready for the day. Memories of the day before flooded through my mind, but none of them seemed like they could be a reality. Had Romano actually taken care of me and fretted over me like I was a child? Had Prussia given up the chance to tease and molest me just because of the sight of my face?
Had I really broken it off with Germany?
When I finally was able to move into a sitting position, and every muscle in my body ached, I knew my suspicions were true.
I glanced around myself in confusion, not entirely sure what to do with myself now that I didn't have to get up and go for a painfully long run with Germany. Remembering what Romano had said to me last night just before I had knocked out, I decided that a shower did sound like a good start to the day.
Gritting my teeth through the pain, I threw the covers off and slowly made my way to the bathroom. I didn't want to turn the light on, partly because I knew it would momentarily blind me, but mostly because if I did turn the light on, I would be forced to look at myself in the mirror, and that thought scared me. If my appearance was enough to throw off Prussia and to get Romano to take care of me as gently as he had last night, then I must have looked like absolute horror.
But I couldn't fumble around in the bathroom without turning the light on. It had been so long since I had been inside anyone's bathroom but Germany's, and my mind and body had not yet readjusted to life back at home.
Gulping down my fear, I squinted my eyes and flicked on the light switch.
The image that was reflected back at me in the mirror couldn't have been my own. It just couldn't. Taking a step closer, I shuddered at the sight that was before me. I looked like a completely different person. Like I had just stepped off of a horror movie set.
The whole left side of my face was swollen and an ugly, deep purple. There were similar bruises down my neck and littering my shoulders. Small cuts were crisscrossed over my shoulders where Germany's fingernails had bit into my skin. Faint scars glittered palely in the fluorescent lighting of the bathroom.
Taking a deep breath, I took a few steps back from the mirror and glanced down at the lower half of my body. A shudder ran through my spine at the sight of the deep purple bruise poking out from the bottom of my boxers. I could see the angry red cuts crisscrossed over my hipbones, disappearing underneath the elastic of my shorts. As I stared at the cuts, the memories of Germany's rough treatment and his harsh words began to flood my mind again. Not just memories of last night, but memories from throughout the six years we had been together.
I could feel Germany's hands on my wrists, forcing my arms above my head as he towered over me. I could feel his hot breath roaming over my skin and his teeth as he bit down hard on my neck. The weight of his body crushing me against the bed. My heart rate began to rise; I could feel it beating frantically against my rib cage. Bile rose in my throat at the memory of Germany's hungry gaze as he looked my body over, at the comments he made about the marks he had inflicted.
My elbow bumped into the tiled wall behind me, and I jolted violently out of my hallucination. My heart was pounding in my chest, my breathing coming in short, quick gasps. Sweat drenched my body, quickly soaking what little clothing I had on.
"I can't do this," I said aloud to myself, watching as my reflection mimicked every movement. "I can't, I can't, I can't." My eyes began to race back and forth, my body began to shake. With the bathroom wall against my back, I slid to the floor. The tears came quick, spilling onto the floor as I absentmindedly twisted my fingers. My bones knocked and ground together, sending a dull pain down through my wrist and up my arm. I didn't care. I could barely feel it. The only thing I could feel was the panic closing its grip on my heart, seeping through my muscles and flowing through my veins.
I began to rock. The knots of my spine tapped against the wall as I shook and cried, trying to remember anything but the way Germany's hands had felt as they curled around my biceps. I remembered the way I had tripped over my own feet as he shoved me away from him, landing heavily on my bottom and knocking my head into the door. I remembered the shooting pain I had felt as I stared up at him in fear. His menacing form towered over me, a glint in his eye as he leaned down once again and reached for my arm.
A gentle hand took hold of my shoulder, and I nearly jumped out of my skin. A small shriek escaped my lips as I looked quickly towards the owner of the hand.
Antonio.
Relief flooded my veins and I sagged forward helplessly, falling into Spain's arms and crying harder. I could hear his voice as he whispered soothingly into my ear, but I couldn't make out the words.
Another pair of arms wrapped around my body tightly, and another familiar voice began speaking in my ear. I knew immediately it was Romano. I could hear the struggle he was going through as he fought away the harsh words he usually spoke, swapping them out for words of encouragement as he tried to calm me down.
When the tears stopped, I looked up into Romano's eyes and smiled weakly. "You're the best brother anyone could ever ask for, you that, Lovino?" His cheeks burned crimson as he stared down at me, mumbling something incoherently as he and Spain helped me to my feet and out of the bathroom.
Once again, my plans to shower had been snatched away from me.
A/N: Sorry for the short chapter, guys. I had expected it the longer, but then I realized that this would be a perfect place to leave off. Let me know what you think in a review, and don't forget to favorite and follow. :)
