Yay I'm back! Gosh I feel like it's been a long time since I've updated. Well, it has been because I usually like to update after my fic gets a couple reviews on its most recent chapter. But, the thing is, I only got like one or two for the last chapter of this. Which is really weird because a lot of you are favoriting it and following it, but not saying anything about it. I don't understand is all I guess. Well, whatever. Here ya go!
Stop and stare
I think I'm moving but I don't know where
Yeah I know that everyone gets scared
But I've become what I can't be
"Stop and Stare" by OneRepublic
Chapter 7
As Gilbert struggled to figure out what was going on with Elizabeta and the snobby guy who seemed to be holding her hostage, a man in a village several miles away was struggling to merely stay alive.
He hid in the shadows, knowing that if he was seen he would likely be captured. The darkness was the only place he could stay safe, stay alive.
A selfless man, he only strove to stay alive for his wife and child, not for his personal benefit. Without him, his wife and baby would only be put in more danger than they had all landed themselves in.
The man thought of them for a moment, a smile almost creeping to his face. He'd left them in an abandoned shop a few blocks away, making sure that no one would possibly go inside before leaving. It killed him to leave them alone, but he had to in order to keep them alive. Searching for food was easier alone; he wouldn't have to worry about his family getting lost or taken from him.
Now he stayed very still, watching the few people hurriedly walk by him to escape the bitter cold. Despite his tattered clothes, he stayed composed, refusing to let the winter rack his bones and make him appear weak.
Once he assumed the moment safe, he began to walk amongst the shadows, glancing at the few stands still open. Those still brave enough to sell their food were wrapped in heavy blankets, not even really looking at their food.
The man managed to sneak a loaf of bread and a few apples without the vendors noticing. Satisfied, he slowly began to make his way back to his child and darling wife.
At least they'd make it a few more days.
It was late and Elizabeta was dreading having to return to her home. She'd grown so used to being with Roderich and Feliciano that this manor seemed more like a home than the shack she shared with Vash and Lilli. She still cared for the two siblings dearly, but she just felt more like a family here with her love and the boy she practically considered her son.
Currently she was sitting on the Austrian's lap as he lounged on the sofa, mindlessly playing with her long locks of hair.
"It's getting late, dear," she sighed.
Roderich shook his head and pretended as if he didn't hear her.
"Are you cold," he asked, "I could get the blanket."
She smiled at his attempt and craned her neck to plant a gentle kiss on his forehead.
"I need to go," she said softly, "You and I both know that."
"Stay… a little longer."
It really hurt Elizabeta to see him look so sad, even though he knew that they could see each other in the morning. A few hours wouldn't do much harm.
"Please, Beta," he murmured.
Her heart fluttered at the pet name he'd given her and she couldn't help but give him a peck on the cheek. He really was the sweetest thing and the thought of going away, even for just a short amount of time, didn't sound the least bit appealing.
"Just a few more minutes," she finally said.
He appeared content with this answer as he pulled her down on top of him, causing her to make a disgruntled noise of surprise. She began to ask what he was doing when he placed his lips over hers, in a way of making her shut up that she didn't really mind.
The room was quiet, the soft breathing of the lovers and their occasional movement barely audible.
Feliciano had gone to sleep so they didn't have to worry about him stumbling upon this rather mature scene.
There was a moment when Elizabeta thought he was going to take her then and there. Her heart races, her breathing quickened and she blinked rapidly a few times. The thought of Roderich, this man she loved, devoting himself completely to her, made her heart melt.
She made an unusual gasping sound, as if she hadn't been breathing and had only just found access to air. Only a second later, there was a thump outside, causing the lovers to pause.
"What was that?" Elizabeta asked as she tried to catch her breath.
Roderich pushed himself up to his elbows and glanced at the direction the sound had come from. The window was closed with the curtains open, allowing him to see outside. There didn't seem to be anything particularly strange.
"Probably just an animal," he suggested, "Or snow falling off one of the trees. Spring is on its way."
Elizabeta flushed at the mention of springtime, the season of romance. Though he was right, it was only mid January but Roderich often liked to speak of spring; it seemed to be his favorite season.
He claimed it was the time when he was most relaxed and could focus the best on his music. The light weather made him feel less stuffy, as if he was free to do as he pleased. Of course he never could, being an aristocrat and all, but Elizabeta liked to imagine him running around and laughing. She always loved it when he smiled and laughed.
"I really need to go now, Roderich," she said as she stood from the couch, stretching her arms above his head, "Vash is going to worry about me."
Roderich pushed up his glasses as he got up as well, placing his hand on her head to stroke her hair gently.
"I suppose," he admitted, "Though I will miss you."
Their hands laced together as he led her to the front door, where they took their precious time in exchanging goodbyes. After saying goodnight several times each, Elizabeta managed to sneak a kiss and head down the path to where Vash was probably getting ready to send out a search party for her.
"Auf wiedersehen, libeling," he called out to her in German, making her blush.
"Búcsú, szerelem," she replied in her own native tongue.
As she returned home, she couldn't help but wonder if it was really possible to be this much in love.
"Artie! Get over here, this is delicious!"
The Brit gave an irritated sigh as he heard the American's familiar voice cry out from somewhere. He had been looking in the window of a bookstore, curious if there was anything that caught his attention. Alfred must have gotten bored and wandered off since he was now yelling something at him.
"What is it, you git?" Arthur sighed as he turned his head to see Alfred running over, two ice cream cones in his hands.
The American thrust one forward, licking the other one contentedly.
"These are great!" he cried, "Not as good as back home, but the best I've had over the Atlantic!"
Arthur wrinkled his nose as the cone was shoved in his face. It appeared to be vanilla, a flavor he didn't particularly despise. The idiot must have spent money on it as well, so it'd be rude not to eat it.
Alfred watched with anticipation as the elder man licked the ice cream, an obnoxious laugh ripping through his throat as the man's eyes lit up.
"What's so funny?" Arthur demanded.
"Your face!" Alfred yelled through his laughter, "It looked so happy but goofy!"
Arthur rolled his eyes and took another lick of the dessert. It was actually pretty good; better than anything he'd had back home. Perhaps these Germans knew what they were doing with the desserts. He'd been told the Austrians were even better, but that was hard to believe after tasting this most delicious German ice cream cone.
"Where'd you even get these?" Arthur asked once his companion had calmed down.
"A little shop down the street," the younger replied, "I've had them before and I knew that you'd love it. I was obviously right."
"Well, thank you."
Alfred stared for a moment with big eyes, Arthur continuing to consume his dessert until he couldn't handle the staring any longer.
"What the bloody hell are you looking at?"
For a moment, Alfred didn't respond. He continued to stare for a while, as if in a trance. Eventually he snapped out of it and shook his head, that ridiculous grin coming up to light his face again.
"That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me, Artie!" he answered.
Arthur raised his brows as Alfred rubbed the back of his neck, that stupid grin only looking more stupid.
"Well don't get used to it," the Brit snapped, "Now come on, I thought I saw a book in there that I wanted."
He began to walk into the store, not bothering to wait for Alfred. So what if thanked the man? It was only manners. It wasn't like he cared.
Alfred waited a moment, thinking about what Arthur had just said. It only took a moment for him to snap out of it and run after the other.
"Wait up, I wanna see!"
Elizabeta was right – Vash had been worried sick about her. He lectured her about how it was dangerous to stay out that late and that the darker it was the more likely she could get lost and how it was rude that Roderich didn't even walk her home.
She didn't really listen, but gave him the appropriate responses when she needed to. In all honesty, she was too busy thinking of all that time she'd just spent with Roderich. It had been so romantic and wonderful. All she wanted to do was see him again.
Neither had confessed their love, but Elizabeta convinced herself that she would tell him first thing tomorrow. It didn't matter that he was an aristocrat and she was some lowly peasant. They could run away together to a place where social stature didn't matter and be happy together and never have to worry about anything but themselves.
Vash had gone on with his lecture, mentioning how Gilbert had stopped by and asked if she was alright and how he thought Roderich seemed suspicious. Elizabeta assured him that Gilbert was just overreacting and being the drama king he always was. There was nothing to worry about; Roderich was a good boss to her. At least, that's what she told Vash.
She went to bed that night thinking about Roderich only more. She'd never been in love and now here she was, falling so hard and so fast she didn't know if she could handle it. But Roderich was good to her and sweet; he'd never do anything to hurt her. When he'd said that to Gilbert, she knew he'd meant it. In all honesty, Roderich probably couldn't hurt a fly. The man didn't seem to have a mean bone in his body.
The sheets seemed thinner than normal as she pulled them tighter around her body. Perhaps it was because she didn't have Roderich's body warmth like she did earlier. Either way, she felt colder and she wasn't exactly fond of it. Tomorrow she would cuddle with him on the sofa again and get lost in his strong arms. His warmth would make all this snow melt away.
Her mind slipped into subconscious, rewarding her with visions of Roderich and Feliciano and Vash and Lilli and everything else she held so dear. It was all so perfect, it couldn't be real.
With a jolt, Elizabeta was torn from her slumber, making her realize that the dream was in fact too good to be real.
"Elizabeta!"
It was Vash and he sounded like there was a huge problem.
"Vash?" she yawned, "I'm sleeping! Where's the fire?"
"At Roderich's!" he yelled.
It took her a moment to open her eyes and see the worry in Vash's face. Something was wrong. He never called Roderich by his first name – he said it was because he didn't know the man well enough to go on a first name basis.
"What?" she breathed, now more awake.
"There's a fire!" he repeated, "And it's engulfing Roderich's house as we speak!"
Dun dun DUN! There's the ending! SO MUCH SUSPENSE RIGHT? Who are the people at the beginning? What's with this fire? Is Lizzie really in love? Where the hell is Gilbert? Well those questions shall all be answered... in the future!
As long as you guys review and favorite and follow it gives me the drive to keep going. But yeah, reviews are most helpful because I really appreciate your feedback! Either waym thank you so much for supporting me! See you at the next update~
