I can't believe how many of you guys said the last chapter wasn't crap. I am of shock and disbelieving.
But apparently, fan fiction is being a prissy b*tch and won't let me respond to any of you amazing people. It keeps popping up and saying "Oops! We cannot find this page on .net. Most likely you are accessing the site with an outdated link. .?rwid=138477501 blah blah blah numbers"
So, Thank you to SuperNekoFan, MizsIndependent, Ashe-Kuro, NONAMESWEREAVAILABLE, InTheAsylum, Rainfall Sopranoofireland, IWantAPetBadger, and NekOtaku. And because of fan fiction, I will instead post the next chapter at cheetah speed so you know that I'm not ignoring any of you, (because I am paranoid about that). Also, because all the reviews I've been getting for the last few chapters have been all positive and nice. And, I've also been accepted into college, so I feel the need to share the happiness.
Now there's gravel in our voices…glasses shattered from the fight…
"Italien!" Germany cried.
"No! No, let me go! Argh!" Italy continued to struggle and shout at the German. "I don't care what you have to say! Just let me go!"
In this tug of war, you'll always win…
"No! So stop resisting and listen to me for a second!" Germany quickly tightened his grip for moment to try to get Italy to stop struggling. The Italian stopped struggling, but held a very persistent glare in his eye that was directed right at Germany. He let out a low growl, but allowed Germany his attention for the time being.
Even when I'm right.
Germany let out a relieved sigh and took a deep breath in and slowly let it out, steadying himself for what he was about to ask. He looked directly into Italy's eyes, ignoring the angry glare, "Italy…do you love me?"
Italy froze. 'What the hell did he just say?' Italy kept asking himself over and over again in his mind. Surely, he had heard the brusque man wrong. Never once in a hundred years had Italy even thought that he would even hear the German say the word 'love.' Clearly, his brain must be playing tricks on him. Emotional trauma and all that.
"Italy, answer me. Do you love me?" His voice taking a desperate tone.
Italy remained quiet. Honestly, how the hell did Germany expect him to answer such a intimate question out of the blue like that?
But… then again, how did he really feel? Did he love the German? …Well, yeah. He still sort of does, too. But that doesn't change the way Germany had acted towards him. He had been cast aside by the German. Thrown out of his house. Left to fend for himself. Clearly, Germany did not feel the same way. This had to be another way to try and get him to break. After all, Germany being a military man and all, he was more than capable to harm him, both mentally, emotionally, and physically.
"Italy?" Italy heard Germany's voice crack.
"…You want my answer?…"
"Ja, I do."
"…You really want my answer?…"
"Of course I do! I wouldn't have asked if I didn't!"
Italy paused for second. "I honestly don't know anymore." Italy ripped his arm away from Germany's grip and looked down at the ground. "I did love you, at one point." Italy looked back up and stared directly into Germany's eyes, making the German feel as though Italy was trying to see into his very soul. "Is that what you wanted to hear me say?" Italy chuckled darkly. "I bet it wasn't. I bet you expected me to start crying, fall down to my knees and shout that I'll always love you. That's what you thought I'd do, right? Because you think I'm that pathetic." Italy's stare turned into a deathly glare. "But you now what?"
Germany was almost afraid to answer. "W-what?"
Italy continued to glare at the german for second before answering. "I don't have time to be pathetic. Because this time, it wasn't just me you hurt. You're little temper has brought more people into your little hurt game. Lovino is fighting for his life as we speak and Spain is forced to watch and wait while his lover may be dying! And you know what? It's. All. Your. FAULT. "
Germany stood speechless as Italy turned and walked away. He had no idea the extent of the damage his actions had caused. Honestly, how was he supposed to know that what he did and said could cause so much to happen? But it was clear as day, that his actions had hurt more than one person. He had hurt more than just Italy.
"I-Italy! Wait!" Germany started after Italy, who was a good 10 feet ahead and allowing the distance to grow. But even after Germany's calls to wait, Italy kept walking, because deep down, Italy wasn't sure if that if he stopped, he would be able to keep walking. A part of him, his heart, told him to stay. His heart told him that he should stay and try to talk things out with Germany. After all, it wasn't as though Germany had said and done all those things because he knew that all this horrible drama would happen. And honestly, how bad did he really want to walk away from Germany?
But then the other part of him, Italy's brain, was there telling him to keep walking away. Because even if Germany hadn't meant for any of this to happen, it still happened. He still got angry and even if he promised to let it never happen again, it still could. And then how bad would things be after that? What would his excuse be that time? Would something even worse happen? Even if Italy loves him, is that love worth all this pain?
'Yes…'
'No…'
It was then that Italy realised he had stopped moving. Being so lost in thought, he hadn't even registered the arm holding him where he stood. Already knowing who was behind him, Italy turned around slowly, preparing himself for the next onslaught of words that would make his heart and brain continue fighting with each other.
But when Italy finished his 180, he wasn't met with blue eyes. Staring back at him were crimson eyes. Italy gasped, having completely forgotten the Prussian during his and Germany's 'conversation.'
"Italy. I can't make you do anything, but are you sure this is really what you really want to do? Do you really want to walk away right now?" There was no waiver in Prussia's voice. His steadfast words were clear as day. No sign of sympathy or even regret. He wasn't speaking on behalf of his brother, Germany. Nor was he speaking for himself. Prussia was speaking for Italy's own behalf. Voicing his own inner questions. Does he really want to walk away? Is this really what he wants to do?
Looking over Prussia's shoulder, Italy saw Germany. He was on his knees, not crying, just totally frozen. The sight definitely tore a few heartstrings. But was it worth it? Was he worth it? The pain? The sadness? Italy would be lying if he said he didn't still love Germany. But the ultimate question still remained.
Did he love Germany enough to make any of this right?
It was a simple question, really. But a simple question that had more meaning behind it than any other thing Italy had ever known.
For an Italian, love is a definite science that Italy had known since that day he was born. He had been taught by Rome to follow his heart. And after HRE, Italy had taught himself to treasure love with every ounce of his being. So why is this all so hard?
"I don't know. I just don't know." Taking a step backwards, Prussia let go of his grip on Italy's arm. "I'm sorry, but I just can't answer that right no-"
"Do you love him?" Prussia cut through Italy's response. Blood red eyes stayed locked on Italy's brown eyes, yet Prussia's gaze didn't hold as much weight as Germany's had.
"Prussia, I just don't kno-"
"Yes you do. I know you Italy. Who you love has never plagued you. You're not unsure about whether or not you love Germany. You're unsure if you can still trust him."
Italy stood speechless. That was his problem, wasn't it? He just didn't know if he could trust Germany.
"He's not like Holy Rome. If you walk away, he won't disappear, Italy." Prussia took a confident step forward. "So I ask you again. Do you love him?"
Looking down at the ground, Italy closed his eyes and allowed Prussia's words to really sink in. Does he love Germany?
Bringing his head up, Italy kept his gaze away form Prussia's. Taking a deep breath, "I…I'd be lying if I said I don't love him."
Prussia took a relieved sigh but kept his serious demeanour. "I can't make what West did alright. But I can tell you he is sorry, Italy. It's not completely his fault about his temper. I'm the one who raised him after all, and we both know I'm not the nicest person to live with." A small smile managed to make it's way onto Italy's face. "So Italy, please, don't just walk away from here because of how he acted. Because then it's just as much my fault as it is his. Maybe even more… and I sure as hell won't let you walk away from here without resolving this when I'm at fault."
Neither Italy nor Prussia spoke after that, both standing there silent. Holding his ground, Prussia kept his eyes on Italy. When he said he wouldn't let Italy leave open-ended: he meant it. If there was anything that Prussia prided himself in, it was how he always resolved his problems. It didn't matter if it took a war and the loss of thousands of lives or just an hour and a hand shake, Prussia never left an argument open-ended. And after what seemed like an hour, Italy broke the gaze and walked past Prussia and over to Germany, leaving a smiling Prussia behind him.
Bending down, Italy acted before Germany could even blink, connecting their lips. And just as soon as the kiss started, it ended. Pulling back with a pout and a light blush, Italy stood straight up and looked away. "Let's make this clear: I love you, Germany. But I don't trust you."
Germany stared wide eyed up at the Italian, his face a deep red and his mouth slightly apart. 'H-he loves me… he loves me!' Before Italy could brace himself, Germany stood up as fast as he could and practically tackle-hugged Italy. With arms tightly wrapped around Italy's waist, Germany pecked Italy's forehead. "You don't know how happy I am to hear you say that." Italy just scoffed at him. Taking a adeep breath Germany used one of his hands to move Italy's head back to facing him. "Italy… I know I've made a mistake…but I promise," Germany pulled far enough back to look into Italy's eyes, "I will do everything I can to try and make you trust me again. I don't care if it takes years or even centuries.…I-I love you, Italy." Italy took a shuddering intake of breath. "So, I'm willing to wait, for as ever long as it takes, for you to trust me again." Slowly using his thumb, Germany gently brushed a few tears from Italy's eye, who until then, hadn't even realised he had been crying. Taking another deep, shuddering breath, Italy stared back into Germany's eyes. "Do you really mean that?" Italy spoke in a hesitant whisper.
Germany cupped Italy's face in his hands. "Ja… I do, Italien."
Not even a second later, Italy broke into a large grin. "Well then, I'll hold you to your promise." Leaning forward, Germany rested his forehead on Italy's. Softly placing a kiss on the Italian's lips, Germany pulled back and dropped his arms to around Italy's waist. Letting out a thinking sigh, Germany tightened his grip for a second and whispered, "do you want to go find Romano?"
Instantly, Italy's face fell. Remembrance flooding his mind of the accident and the state Romano was in when he was taken away.
"…I don't think Spain would appreciate me being anywhere near fratello for a while." Taking a step back and breaking Germany's grip, Italy awkwardly grabbed his uninjured arm.
"But do you still want to go find him. To make sure that he's alright?… He is your brother, after all."
Meeting Germany's eyes with sadness in them, Italy slowly nodded his head. Germany held out his hand for Italy to take, who sent Germany a questioning look. Mouthing out 'just take it,' Italy placed his hand in Germany's, a slight warmth seemed to fill him from the simple contact. It would take a while before Italy would truly be able trust the German, but Italy decided, as they walked to Germany's car, that so long as Germany kept his side of the promise, it would all be worth it in the end.
I feel like my Germany is very OOC. But if I make him all stoic and 'TEN-HUT!' then he won't be able to make the necessary progress he needs in this story. :\
So most of you said you wanted Germany to beg, give or take the one or two people who wanted them to make up. So here was begging Germany.
And by the way, I am a Germany/HRE believer. I just had to make it sound like the were separate people to make Prussia's point.
