Chapter 12 — Our Grand Folly
…
"Where are they? It's been almost an hour since the meeting was supposed to start! If this were my place this wouldn't —"
"Yes, yes, this wouldn't happen. We know America."
America slumped against his chair when England snapped at him. China, Hungary, Austria, Canada, Japan, France, England, America, and Prussia were all in the meeting by nine in the morning like they had agreed. Except there was no hosting nation or Europe's most gossiped about star-crossed lover.
"Has anyone seen Italy? I hope nothing has happened to him," France asked worriedly. They all shook their heads.
"When was the last time anyone saw Italy? Or Russia?" England asked.
"I last saw Russia when I took him to get his nose bandaged," China chimed in.
"Which was?"
"After the meeting. Russia left the infirmary while I stayed to talk to Canada."
"What about Italy?" England asked again.
"I last saw him talking to America after the meeting. Not that far away from the building but Italy looked pretty upset. He walked away from what seemed like an argument," Hungary said interested as to what Italy looked so mad about.
"An argument? What is this about?" France questioned.
Canada sent America an unwavering gaze. America looked conflicted, and Canada just shook his head disappointed. That made America feel worse, and he ran a hand through his hair.
"I may have, totally not major or anything, may have, maybe, possibly, really small chance here, kind of, wouldn't think much of it really, like —"
"Just spit it out," Hungary grumbled.
"I may have pissed off Italy without realizing it," America finished.
"And how did you manage to do that?" Prussia asked amused.
"So you guys know how I ripped out the book from Canada's hands?" America began to explain, "I showed him the entry after the one I read. I read ahead of Italy for only one entry and I guess I forgot to flip to the one he was on. He wouldn't have known but just one little line had to mess everything up."
"You read an entry without Italy? So you did steal the book without permission," Hungary accused.
"An act of treason, no?" France drolled with a hand on his cheek.
"What! Treason?" America cried.
"We made a deal. Italy would have the book and we would report back if anything came up to aid with the search," China commented factually.
"We didn't sign on anything," America argued back.
"This situation isn't exactly something we can sign on," China replied back.
"Alright, we get it. America is a dunce, but that still doesn't answer where Italy and Russia are. And, I would also like to point out, the journal is gone," England cut in with a scowl.
The nation's eyes widened, and Prussia jolted in his seat, clenching his fists and glaring furiously at England.
"Who had it last, eyebrows?" he demanded loudly.
England glowered intensely at the name. "I don't know. If I did would I ask?"
"Well, America and you are alike. Both liars," France mocked to get a rise out of England. England grit his teeth.
"Are you insinuating that I have the book?"
"It wouldn't surprise me at this point is all I am saying mon ami."
"I do not have it, surprise," he scathingly bit back.
"Hey, can you guys not be totally gay for a sec? I'm trying to think," America said shutting his eyes.
Hungary chuckled, and England and France just continued to give each other dirty looks from across their seats.
"Should we just leave?" Austria asked more than willing to rise out of his seat and go back home. He hasn't heard or played any music for a solid day and it was driving him mad. These notes of shrill screams and suspicion were not beautiful and they were quite honestly, dull to Austria's ears.
"I don't think so Austria," Canada said.
Austria straightened his lip in disapproval, and Hungary sent him a look of understanding. It seemed they were fine with each other again, their argument just another one in the pile of many.
"If someone doesn't walk through that door in ten minutes, I'm leaving," Prussia declared.
"Aren't you worried about Italy?" Canada asked.
"And that's why I would be leaving, Birdie," Prussia said with thoroughness.
"I will too," China agreed whole-heartedly.
"We have been here for a long time...I will leave as well," France said in favor of Prussia's idea. Prussia smirked, glowing with pride as more countries agreed to follow his plan. The vote eventually came down to Japan who had yet to say anything.
"And you Japan?" England asked his friend.
"I will stay."
America raised a brow but respected it. "Alright, ten minutes starts now." America set the timer on his watch to ten minutes and the clock immediately flipped to nine minutes and fifty-nine seconds. America watched the seconds go by until it said nine and thirty-four. He looked up and saw the nations shift as if his watch was a bomb.
The minutes stretched on, America periodically announcing the benchmarks of time. Eight minutes, five minutes, two minutes.
The nation's didn't speak much. There was a common anticipation now, all arguments forgotten at the moment to see if someone would walk through the door before the ticking time.
"Thirty seconds," America counted off.
Austria began to pack his briefcase, already standing up to leave. Italy wasn't coming. Russia wasn't coming.
Hungary felt a foolish hope within her. She hoped, knew, Italy would come swooping in apologizing about sleeping in or getting distracted by a pretty Russian girl. Italy would smile and let them sigh a breath of relief. She would hug him and make sure he is okay because nowadays, Hungary couldn't tell what Italy was fully, truly thinking. She never could, she doesn't think anyone could, but she knew enough.
The alarm blazed through the room, its strident shriek startling them. No door opened to its call.
Hungary sighed as the others stood up and started to file out the door. She stayed in her seat as America announced, "Time's up! I guess no Italy or Russia." America pressed the stop button and looked apologetic.
"Prussia, you know Moscow best. You lead us," Hungary said getting up and patting down her dress. She walked to the door and looked back to Japan sitting down stoically. She shuffled toward Japan stopping the whole group from leaving to watch.
"Japan, are you sure you don't want to come with us? You're probably going to be waiting in vain…"
"Hai, I am sure," Japan said with his monotone voice.
"If he does come, please tell us."
Japan's nodded in confirmation. "Of course."
She turned around ready to leave when the door flew open. Hungary recoiled in shock and the others do as well as they back away quickly from the door to not get impaled from the sharp knobs.
Hungary sucked in her breath.
"Ciao everyone!"
...
"You're crushing me, Hungary," Italy wheezed as Hungary trapped him in a bone-crushing hug.
"Oh, Italy I thought something horrible happened to you! You had me so worried. Just what were you thinking?" Hungary rushed as she let go and grasped onto his shoulders tightly with her manicured hands.
Italy was dazed. "I was...I was taking a shower. I woke up late. I'm sorry." He smiled sheepishly. "I didn't think I would worry you guys that much."
Hungary gave him an intense, dark look, and Italy cowered away. It quickly went away. "As long as you are okay." She scanned him over and didn't see anything abnormal. He still wore a thick jacket inside.
"Italy, you kept us waiting. Not awesome," Prussia grouched.
"Where's Russia?" China asked immediately after.
Italy winced. "He's not feeling well. He told me he wasn't coming." His face softened in sympathy. "Poor Russia, he got really sick."
"Russia is unwell?" England asked suspiciously at the sudden revelation. Italy felt England's green eyes search through him, and he turned to face England with a stretched smile. "He's not coming."
England felt a shiver go down his spine. America noticed England stiffen and gazed back at Italy as well. He didn't see anything wrong.
"I should check up on him," China informed ready to slither through the door.
Italy's voice stopped him. "He doesn't want any visitors. He told me to not let anyone come and see him."
"And since when are you and Russia so close?" Austria asked raising a brow.
"Russia's not a bad guy! He's great to hug and has soft hair," Italy chirped as he walked over to the table. He dug into his pocket and took a book out.
It was Germany's journal.
Japan and Canada stiffened like a board.
Italy smiled wider at Japan's wide eyes and winked at him. Japan looked away quickly not daring to see into Italy's eyes.
"Since Italy is here and Russia is a no-show, I guess we have to start the meeting without him," America declared.
"But he's the hosting nation," refuted China.
America shrugged not bothered with the situation. "And he's not feeling well."
"Italy, what is it exactly that he's come down with?" England asked.
Italy took a seat next to Japan. "I don't know. He didn't want to tell me, he got angry and hit me with his pipe. It was scary! So I left, and he told me not to let anyone else do the same as I did. I hope Russia is okay, he seemed very sick."
It was so convincing, Japan would have believed it as well. But he didn't.
The other nations did.
"Hit you! Where did he hit you? Are you alright, Italy?" Hungary immediately cried with concern. She rushed over to him, and Italy lifted up his dress pants to reveal a dark purple and blue bruise on his calf. It was a nasty injury, one with clear intentions to break the bone and shatter the surrounding ligaments. Although it was only a bruise, a deep dark bruise, it still caused panic.
America immediately jumped in when seeing the injury. "See! See! That commie can't be trusted! Give him a little trust and shit like this happens!" America cried waiting for everyone to agree. The others began talking and thinking, can Russia ever be trusted?
Hungary pressed down on the injury gently and looked utterly heartbroken — the thought, the notion that Italy actually got himself hurt made her swell with rage and sadness.
"Does it hurt a lot?" Hungary asked gently.
"Did it hurt a lot?" America asked squeezing himself to the front.
"It doesn't hurt a lot right now, most of the pain was from this morning. He got out his pipe, and I tried to run away but I tripped on his carpet, and he swung his scary pipe down at me. He didn't miss and it hurt so much, Dio Mio! It was torture! But then he coughed out blood, and I ran to my room. I took a shower and came rushing down here. It hurts if you press down on it."
Canada grit his teeth.
"Woah dude, you're, like, a hero!" America said amazed.
Italy perked up. "A hero? A hero? I guess I'm not a pipsqueak then? Yay!"
America laughed but then stopped abruptly with wide eyes. He looked down to Italy but his face was being smothered by Hungary's chest.
"I'm so glad you weren't hurt any further," Hungary said softly before letting him go. Even if Italy was millenniums old, Hungary will always treat him like a small child. Prussia had it all wrong. Italy wasn't her son — she wasn't trying to be a mother, she was simply a big sister. Because that would entail that Austria was the father and Hungary will not do with a broken family. They weren't.
"I'm going to go check up on Russia," Canada announced knowing most won't hear him now that Italy had stolen the spotlight.
Predictably, very little nations turned around. But Prussia did and immediately latched onto him. "Birdie, you can't go to that nut job! Didn't you see the unawesome thing he did to Italy? You'll be —"
"I can handle myself," Canada began sharply, "and I don't think Russia will turn me away." Canada pushed away Prussia and started walking towards the door briskly. The others watched interested, a new show of entertainment.
Prussia looked lost and jogged up to him. "Woah, woah, what's got you all riled up?"
Canada exhaled. He didn't want to accuse Italy anything, it would be hard to, but he and Italy were not too far apart once he thought about it. Most nations assume Canada wouldn't do anything because he liked peace and nonviolence. He liked it. That doesn't mean he couldn't use violence and unfairness.
And while Italy was a crybaby and generally a weak nation, that simply couldn't be the case one hundred percent of the time. Because he was in the textbooks, he was seated in the key chairs of every international organization, and he was still alive and standing after decades and decades and decades of imperious, avaricious fallacies. His place was solid for the things he did in the past, and it was foolish for the nations in the room to assume that Italy was incapable.
"Nothing. Just continue the meeting without me." Canada didn't give anyone time to respond as he slammed the door shut. Prussia stood there confused, and the sound of the door shutting echoed throughout the room.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Aaawkward," America said trying to break the tense air.
"Well damn, what's got him so pissed?" Prussia grumbled going back to his seat. Italy vibrated in his seat. He wouldn't stop shaking his right leg, and Japan took note of this.
"Italy are you alright?"
Italy shoved his seat back and jumped up. "I have to go pee!" He scurried to the door, flying to the door handle with narrowing eyes until something blocked his way.
"Hey wait, you just got here!" America said blocking Italy with both arms stretched out by the double doors. Italy flashed America a dark, murderous look but it quickly went away.
"But I have to go pee really bad! Really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really —"
"Just let Italy go," France said wanting to rub his head at the increasing pitch of Italy's voice.
"But we waited so long for him to come French fry —"
"Just let him go, he looks like he's about to piss all over the floor," Prussia agreed, eyeing the way Italy was frantically shaking his leg and moving from heel to heel.
America slowly lowered his arms at the expectant gazes of everyone and slid to the side. Italy yanked the door open, his wrist almost snapping with how harshly he yanked the handle down and bolted out of the room. America blinked.
"Was that weird to anyone?" America asked.
"Something did feel off," China said.
"Yeah, like he was jumpy or something."
"Do you think he has something to talk about with Canada?" Hungary said.
"I don't think so but my bro being pissed is pretty weird too," America said pushing up his glasses.
"We now know where the journal is at least," England reminded.
"Oh yeah! Italy had it. See. Neither of us had it, France!" America stuck his tongue out as France shook his head.
"Should we just wait for Italy?" China asked.
"Seems like the best option," England said.
"Why is there so much fucking waiting. So unawesome," Prussia complained loudly.
"Well, I mean unless someone has something new to share, we can't do much," America said feeling the same. He swept his eyes around the table expecting for someone to straighten their back and announce a new piece of information.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Wow," America said. "Are you guys even trying?"
"Of course we are!" Hungary immediately answered. "Right guys?"
"Of course," everyone replied, some eager, most just saying it for the sake of not getting glared at by Hungary.
"I've been busy with not making my people shit in buckets," Prussia defended.
"And I with my own people getting...antsy," France said as well.
"I have been helping Italy," Japan said. China gave him a look that screamed to differ.
"Do you have something to share, America?" France asked instead so the others wouldn't have to list off their reasons for the lack of progress. It was obvious that even now with direct government orders and visual depredation the countries would not care to look for Germany.
America blew a piece of hair out of his face. "Naw."
Hungary seemed to be uneasy, and Prussia sent her an encouraging look. Hungary just ignored the gaze. She was itching to grab the paper in her bag and show them, but she knew that she couldn't. Not yet.
Japan looked as if he wanted to be anywhere other than there, and the only one who seemed to be ultimately oblivious was China. America placed his palm on his cheek and stared at the flags on the wall quizzing himself on all motley stripes that represent the masses.
England put his head down and shut his eyes enjoying the rare stillness in the room. France leaned back and wondered if anyone was willing to braid his hair. Eventually, he decided to do it himself.
China started eating the dumplings he had brought and some of the breakfast food he had smuggled in. He offered some to America, and America gladly ate with him.
And so they waited.
And waited.
Prussia started clapping slowly. He continued to clap until all the countries looked at his smirking face. He continued to clap, his pale hands hitting each other rhythmically. "Won't you look at that. You guys can shut the hell up."
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Austria asked annoyed.
"Look at you guys. Silent as mice. Who would have thought?" Prussia shook his head all too amused.
"What else are we supposed to do?" Hungary asked narrowing her eyes.
Prussia put his hands up lazily. "I'm not saying anything. Don't ya just think it's funny? Only two weeks and a half and you guys are getting along so well," he cooed.
America rolled his eyes. "It's not like we can't get along. Right, guys?" America looked to the room with a bright smile.
Everyone looked away. America's smile fell.
"Oh."
"Congrats kesesese," Prussia cackled.
"Shut the hell up, Pr —" Hungary began before she was cut off by screaming outside the door.
"You take that back!" A voice yelled.
All the countries looked at each other.
"You can't prove it," another voice spat back.
"Call me crazy...but was that Italy?" Hungary said slowly.
England lifted up his head slowly and rubbed his eyes. "What's going on?" he said with a scratchy voice. America shushed him.
"I don't need proof, it's obvious."
"And I think that's Canada," Hungary whispered loudly.
"No way," Prussia said getting up. He walked over to the door.
"What are you doing? Don't open the door!" Hungary hissed. But it was too late because Prussia yanked the door open. He peeked his head to the bland hallways and sure enough saw Canada and Italy glaring at each other. Canada more than Italy, Italy obviously nervous but still holding ground.
Canada flickered his eyes to Prussia like a hawk and immediately looked back at Italy as if he hadn't seen him. Prussia leaned by the door with legs crossed and arms crossed over his chest.
"You know where he is. You know," Canada said lowering his eyes dangerously.
"I don't, I don't. I already told you I don't!" Italy cried.
"I find that hard to believe considering you were the last to see him."
"Who told you that?" Italy asked with feigned confusion.
"Nobody needed to tell me. Who else would go to Russia?"
Prussia widened his eyes but didn't make a sound. The countries behind the door began to get antsy as to why Prussia wasn't doing anything or reporting back to them.
"Is it Italy and Canada, Prussia?" Hungary asked eagerly.
"Ja," Prussia said. Italy jolted and spun around.
"P-Prussia! When did you get there?" Italy asked with a wavering voice.
"Oh, you know. A couple minutes ago," Prussia responded back casually not missing the way Italy tensed.
"So now you get nervous," Canada said cooly.
Prussia could have sworn Italy growled but he spun around again and looked to Canada with large doe eyes. "Let's not kill the Italian, si? I can make you some yummy pasta if you let me live!" Italy said.
Canada exhaled and pinched the bridge of his nose. Not this again.
"I don't want pasta, I want to know where you hid Russia."
"Hid Russia? Russia's missing?" America said popping his head out from the mahogany doors.
Canada walked past Italy briskly and was about to walk past the double doors, but America's hand stopped him from walking away.
"Mattie, you okay?" America asked with concern. Canada lowered his eyes. America didn't know that he and Russia have been seeing each other for some time because he never bothered to notice or care.
"Yeah."
America straightened, and Canada cursed in his head. Canada was the older one yet America always saw that the duty of the protected was he.
"You're not foolin' me. Something is up," America stated searching Canada's face.
"Can we please not talk about this right now? I'm in a hurry," Canada said trying to remove America's hand.
"What's going on here?" England asked behind America.
"Nothing, England. America is just being nosy again," Canada said in what he hoped was convincing. England studied Canada's face for a moment. He studied how his lips desperately wanted to frown, how the eyebrow muscles jump to furrow, and how if it was just between them, a hiss would be coming out of his throat instead of a hidden beg.
It really seemed as though Canada hasn't changed much since his colony days. He still clutched extremely tight to the things he held dear. He clutched and engrained his fingers into what he wanted to preserve making sure it wouldn't escape his fingers. It was his. And he couldn't call many things that now could he?
"America, let Canada go," England commanded.
"No! Something is up!" America denied fiercely.
While this commotion happened, Italy slowly backed away. He was about to run away, but Prussia stopped him with his rough hand.
"And where is my little Ita going?" Prussia said with a sickeningly sweet smile. Italy breathed heavily and couldn't stop himself from gulping.
"Alright, back to the meeting room! Shit needs to be said!" Prussia said looking back to America, Canada, and England. Prussia tightened his grip on Italy's shoulder when he saw the back of Prussia's white head.
America was all too glad to drag Canada back to the meeting room along with Prussia tugging Italy inside.
Italy gulped when he saw all the countries staring holes into his figure. He felt as though Prussia's hand on his shoulder was a handcuff and his airy words the jaundiced key.
"So! We have ourselves a real-life catfight!" Prussia said cheerfully.
"What's going on?" China asked with furrowed brows.
Italy sat down next to Austria, and Austria looked down on Italy with a raised a brow. Italy closed his eyes and let a breath out.
"Yeah, Mattie. What the hell is going on?" America asked.
Canada and Italy's eyes met, the silent conversation irritating every nation at the table.
"A misunderstanding is all," Canada finally said with blankness.
It sent a shiver down America's spine. Canada was pissed.
"About what?" France asked practically oozing with the need for gossip. He knew all about Canada's lover (he was the one to even point out that Canada was crushing hard) and how hush hush it was to America.
"Nothing important," Canada waved off.
Prussia sighed dramatically and unnecessarily. "Yaaawn! You guys were about bitch slap each other."
Austria looked surprised, but Italy didn't necessarily deny it.
"You want to know what was so bad? You want to know?" Canada began boring his eyes into Prussia's. Prussia's smile slowly fell away from his face.
"I went to go see if Russia was really in his room like Italy had said. If he was really sick. It's believable, eh? He's still not fully recovered from the USSR being broken up, and America punched him in the nose and gut yesterday. He's bound to not be feeling well," Canada was looking directly only at Prussia's eyes but his voice was loud enough for the whole room to hear, "So I went to go check. I knocked on his door, and no one answered. I assumed he was asleep. Believable, believable. I open his room and you know what's real funny? Russia isn't there. He's gone."
"Wait...you mean Russia wasn't in his room?" France recapped taking in the information quickly.
Canada shook his head. He turned his sight to France, and France wished he could hug away his little Canada's pain away.
"He wasn't. His room was empty. When I asked the receptionists, they told me he was last seen leaving the building at midnight. But they had thought it was just their imagination."
"Wait," America interjected, "How did you get into Russia's room? You need his key for that."
Canada froze. Shit, shit, shit, shit.
Canada didn't respond, and America stared unblinking waiting for an answer. "Well."
"..."
"..."
"He gave it to me," Canada finally mumbled.
"HE WHAT."
"That's not our problem right now, what I want to know is why Italy was so pissed," Prussia said saving Canada.
The attention was back on Italy. Japan sent Italy an encouraging look, and Italy smiled back.
"It's silly now," Italy replied airily, seemingly back to normal with his happy demeanor and closed eyes.
"Obviously not," Austria cut in sharply. Italy winced as if whipped.
"Well, Canada called me a liar, and I guess I called him one too."
Prussia raised a brow. "And how is little Birdie a liar?"
"I was in a bad mood, I didn't mean it! I really didn't mean it," Italy whimpered.
"What did you say?" Austria demanded again curtly. Hungary had her hands folded in her lap with tightly shut lips. Italy felt them to his right and wanted to curl up. He wanted to run away, he doesn't want to turn around, he doesn't need to turn around. Hungary and Austria are side by side, Austria speaking knives and Hungary looking at him with sorrowful eyes. Nothing has changed. Nothing has changed! Nothing has changed!
Italy breathed out a choked breath of air. He couldn't say.
"Italy."
"You know, maybe I was overreacting," Canada intoned thoughtfully.
"What are you —" America began.
"Yeah. I was overreacting. I assumed it was Italy when it probably wasn't. Italy probably had no part in this. Probably. Russia is pretty stealthy. He could have come back without the receptionists knowing, and Italy probably did see Russia sick. And Russia is probably out there buying vodka like the idiot he is," Canada finished.
America squinted his eyes slightly. "Um, what."
"Yeah. Italy, I'm sorry," Canada said with no change in tone. His eyes were blank and his violet eyes had yet to lighten up.
"You forgive me?" Italy spoke as if he wouldn't forgive himself either.
Canada nodded. "Yep. No hard feelings, eh?"
"Ah. Okay..." Italy said not really sure how to feel.
America whooped. "That's what I'm talking about! See, see, see. U.N. goals and shit. All thanks to me, of course."
England sighed. "Yes. Crisis averted, I suppose. If anyone actually knew what the crisis was."
France flipped his hair and let out a forlorn sigh. His poor little Canada.
"How about we read an entry?" Hungary suggested clapping her hands together.
America brightened. "Oh yeah! Italy, take out the journal, won't ya?"
Italy felt the cool journal through his jacket and held it with his nimble fingers not missing Canada's sharp eyes on his movements.
"I think Italy should read this time," Japan said startling the others from his unusual amount of participation.
"Any objections?" America asked surveying the room. "Can I read the next one?" Hungary asked. America looked at Italy.
"Sure Hungary," Italy agreed happily.
Hungary smiled and Prussia leaned back in his chair. "Wait, before she starts reading I want to say something," Prussia said as Hungary flipped through the journal.
"And that is?" Hungary asked.
"In the last entry...about West getting alcohol poisoning...that wasn't me."
"What do you mean by that wasn't you?" France asked.
"I didn't go back with West to a hotel. Whoever that was beside him in the bed wasn't me. I left the bar when an officer called me over to review some plans. I left early that night, and I told West this, but I'm telling ya, he was smashed."
The news sunk in like a heavy blanket. "So you're telling us...that he had...a one night stand?" England said with the words rolling off his tongue as if he were testing the words himself and thinking, yes, he was saying what everyone is concurring.
"I'm not saying anything. I'm just saying that wasn't me. It could have been anyone. Who knows, it could have been another country."
All eyes pointed to Italy. "Hm?"
The eyes looked away. "Was it a guy or girl?" Hungary asked eagerly for details.
"Shit Hungary let me go call West and ask him real quick. He says it was a hermaphrodite," Prussia snapped.
Hungary crossed her arms. "No need to be a dick."
"I don't know Hungary. But for all our sakes, let's just assume it was a dude. Happy?"
Austria made a look of disgust. China did as well.
"Fine, a girl!" Prussia conceded.
That sent a cold wave down Italy's spine.
"Alright, who did it?" America asked.
"What? Go out with Germany that night?" Hungary asked for clarification.
America nodded vigorously. "Yeah, it's better to just confess now, dudes. Don't worry, this is a no bully and drug-free zone!"
"What bullshit," China muttered. France heard and chuckled.
America took it as a sign that France wanted to talk and share the truth. "Was it you? Well, I guess we can always rely on France to make things saucy, haha!"
England cringed at the loud laughter. It was horribly misplaced and very unbefitting for the situation. How America could find anything humorous at the moment was something he didn't want to know.
"Non. It wasn't me," France replied with a tone that spoke, why the hell would I?
America, thankfully, saw through the tone. "How about —?"
"We are not going to play twenty-questions, America," England cut in rather forcefully. Anything could be considered "evidence" at this point. Who knew what kind of theories the other countries could form simply by just answering yes or no to a question that was bound to fail. Everything was a lie now, wasn't it? Besides, England already had a pretty good idea as to what was going on, but he didn't want to utter the words out loud. The victim was not in the room, and England would be terribly shocked if the person was.
"Oh, okay...Welp, that's good to know. I guess we can't make fun of Germany for being a virgin anymore," America mused out loud quickly getting over that he couldn't play detective.
"I suppose we cannot," England agreed distracted in thought.
"No one said anything about sex," China said being literal as always.
"Picking up clothes? Gone by morning? Warm body breathing? A total one night stand, dude," America said with some mirth.
"But maybe Germany didn't carry out the act," Japan intones, "He is a private man."
"Whatcha mean by that?"
"Exactly what it means, America. China and Japan are right, we cannot assume anything. There is not enough evidence to support anything," England said with finality. He ignored America's grumbling of, "If you had let me continue..."
But the thought still lingered.
Perhaps Italy was not Germany's one and only.
...
"03. September 1939
On this day in history, France and England have declared war.
Japan, Italy, and I are officially against the other nations. It is because of Poland's threat of independence they say. I didn't harm Poland too bad. Poland was popping his gum when I snuck up on him, and he screamed when I whacked him on the head. He's so dramatic.
War is not a great thing. I am not insane enough to make such a claim, but I cannot help but stare proudly at my tanks. Soon enough I will be supreme...For I am He, just as He is me…
Brother refuses to speak to me. He is livid although I cannot see why. Neither of us has liked Poland all that much before. His grudges, they can be deep. But are they directed toward me?
No matter, I have things to do.
How long will this war last? Some say a year, some don't even think it's a war at all. The Second World War. The Ending of the World."
"That's it," Hungary said.
"That was short," America said.
"Did you guys pick up anything strange?" she asked thumbing the next page and looking for any clues in the cursive.
"I always thought Prussia was all pro-World War Two. Why were you so against it?" America asked facing Prussia.
Prussia shrugged rather jerkily. "It wasn't awesome."
Hungary continued on as to not provoke inquiry.
"01. April 1941
Italy is the most aggravating soldier I have ever trained. When he tried to invade the Northern African countries, it was untimely me who had to save him.
He is driving me mad. He won't run, he can barely hold a machine gun upright, and he throws the grenades the wrong way. He trips on his shoelaces for crying out loud. He is useless!
Why did I make an alliance with him again? If it had only been Japan, this would go much smoother. I didn't think accepting Italy as an ally would be this taxing on me. There are so many battles I could have spent somewhere else…"
Hungary gauged Italy's reaction quickly with a glance of her brown eyes and read faster to not make Italy sadder.
"I need to do something about this. Italy cannot rely on me so much. The only way he actually follows orders is if I am the captain. His cowardice will be the death of him — will be the death of me because I always have to save him. I can't just let him die. I would miss that idiot."
Hungary couldn't contain her cooing. "Are you blushing?"
Italy looked down and felt his cheeks burn brighter. Prussia sighed.
She giggled. "Sorry, sorry. I'll continue."
"He's my only friend. Italy was worried that I would forget about him because I was getting friendly with Russia. As if I can forget about Italy.
(Italy if you are reading this, my boss is going to invade Russia really soon. There goes that alliance.)"
"Wait a minute, why would Germany be addressing directly to Italy?" America asked.
"Maybe Germany knew Italy would eventually maybe read this?" Hungary suggested confused as well.
"That seems weird."
"I think it's just a coincidence," Prussia voiced. America sent him a questioning gaze.
"Trust me," he stated leaning forward, "West definitely would rather burn than ever have this read by anyone. I didn't even know that he had this thing until he went missing."
"If you say so, dude," America said not fully believing it. Hungary picked up where she left off.
"Either way, training with Japan and Italy has really helped to get my mind off of things.
Brother makes his periodic visits but he's usually out doing something 'awesome'. Him and France argue so intensely these days, and Spain, well, he's busy with his own internal affairs.
Italy's constant presence forces me to forget about what is really happening outside. My day now consists of making sure Italy doesn't die from doing something incredibly stupid like rolling down a hill from sleeping. Japan makes for good company too but he usually leaves after training. He seems to be busy as of late with his naval affairs, taking pride in a major plan he has coming up. He won't reveal what it is, but he seems eager."
Japan shifted very uncomfortable at America's intense stare. Japan had to remind himself that America did worse to him than he did to him, and with that Japan's dead glare was enough justification for what America was trying to make him feel guilty for.
"Now that I think about it, most of my day consists of spending time with Italy. I'm usually eating with him, taking walks with him, getting calls from him to go save him. Even in my sleep, I can't seem to get rid of him. He's always there by morning in my bed and it's frustrating to wake up. I wonder just how well he and his brother get along if he's always with me.
(I've finally learned that I didn't see Northern Italy back in the 1800s, it had been Romano.)
When Italy isn't around, the house is quiet. This leaves me with work and an aching neck. I've been getting horrible headaches lately. Austria's 'remedies' aren't useful, playing the piano only can do so much for a migraine. My head is always pounding, and I get moments of intense nausea. I hear voices bickering and crying out for help and —"
Hungary stopped reading when the meeting doors slammed open, the sound echoing all the way to the floor and the soles of their feet. The walls shook from the sound, and for a moment she thought a musket had fired. Hungary turned around and gasped when she saw that the wall had a deep hole from where the doorknob met the wall. What shocked her more was the figure by the door.
"Russia? What happened to you!" Hungary cried putting the book down, the pages flipping lazily to one side.
Russia was dripping wet, his soaked uniform leaving tiny puddles on the floor. In his gloved hand, he held his icy pipe, the temperature outside not melting the freezing crystallization. His hair was flat against his forehead, and his skin glistened slightly under the lights. His fringe leaked as if taking a shower, and water dripped from his pale chin onto the white tile.
Russia was breathing heavily, his chest rising up and down, up and down. His once light brown boots were now ones of a dirty mud pigment, and they sloshed when he walked forward. He did not answer Hungary's question. He growled a feral growl and swung his pipe down to her.
Hungary moved away by reflex and landed frazzled on Austria's chest who was there behind her ready to place a hand on her shoulder. Hungary gaped wide-eyed as Russia moved on forward as if not bothered that he just broke off a piece of the table. He trudged toward Italy, his eyes darkening when he saw Italy cowering behind Japan.
America jumped out of his seat. "What the fuck Russia! You almost killed Hungary!"
"This doesn't concern you America," Russia bit out lowly. He did not stray away from his path, not even bothering to look back at America. The gauze on his nose was gone, his nose going back to normal, yet his ribs still ached and his stomach still felt incredibly sore.
"Ave, o Maria, piena di grazia, il Signore č con te. Tu sei benedetta fra le donne e benedetto —" Italy chanted holding onto his cross desperately.
"How cute! Little Italy is praying! Say hello to God for me when you go up there, comrade!" Russia said with a large smile.
Italy shrieked and starting chanting more jumbled up Italian prayers faster.
Russia stepped closer, and Japan squared his stance and fanned out his arms in front of Italy. Italy was now saying prayers and mixing in help and surrenders into the verses.
America marched toward Russia livid, fist clenched and angry. "Pig shit! Leave Italy alone!"
Russia did not take the bait. He was glaring daggers at Japan, and Japan held a cool expression of unrelenting.
"Italy and I have unfinished business, comrade," Russia said raising his arm to strike Japan. Japan tensed but did not move. Russia moved his arm downward, and Japan shut his eyes bracing himself to the familiar feeling of being hit by Russia's steel weapon.
America stopped Russia from hitting Japan by latching onto him by his back, both his large hands over Russia's chest and pulling him back harshly before he could swing down entirely. Russia gasped, his ribs feeling like fire and his lungs shriveled up with no oxygen. He stumbled back with America, feeling too much pain to think clearly.
A sloshing sound was heard and France shrieked when he saw Russia's lonely heart still beat on the cold floor.
Oh. It had fallen out again.
Russia thrashed like a caged animal trying to escape America's grip. But it was no use, it was like trying to run with a three-ton iron weight shackled on your ankle.
"Calm. The fuck. Down," America grunted in between breaths. America almost forgot how thick Russia's build was.
"Nyet! Nyet! Let me go!" Russia screamed.
America winced at the freezing temperature of Russia's clothes, feeling the wetness soak through his own thin shirt. Russia kept struggling, swinging his pipe madly in hope that it will hit America. America had enough and kneed Russia, causing him to immediately bow down to the floor. America grabbed Russia's wrist with the pipe and started to twist his whole arm backward slowly and deliberately.
Russia grits his teeth in pain but did not scream.
"Are you going to calm down now?" America demanded.
"Let me go."
America shook his head disappointed and forced that arm even further causing Russia to bite his cheek in pure agony.
"You're makin' me feel guilty here. Come on, just stop being psycho and shit, 'kay?" America said casually twisting the arm even more.
Russia felt his jaw throb painfully from the amount of biting he was doing. He refused to scream. To submit.
America sighed. He unwrapped the arm and simply grabbed the left wrist and put them both behind Russia's back.
"I'll just take that, thank you!" America said as he took the pipe from Russia's loosening grip. He was feeling so cold and tired…
The rest watched fascinated and disgusted: fascinated at how easily and well-rehearsed America sedated Russia into submission and disgusted that it had to be blatantly cruel and casual.
"Give me my pipe back," Russia growled dangerously.
America was unfazed. "Naw. I don't think I will, Soviet Union. Oh whoops, I mean, Federation."
Canada felt himself still. His eyes threatened to leak tears. Why was America so hateful to Russia still? Why can't he move on? And why was Russia soaking wet? He should be helping Russia not standing there like a useless little kid. His legs should be moving, he should be doing something! He should —
Canada clenched his fist.
Italy opened his eyes and saw Russia on the ground with both arms behind his back from America.
"R-Russia?"
Russia flared when he heard Italy's voice. "Italiya!"
Italy flinched.
"What in the bloody hell is going on!" England finally demanded fed up.
"That's a good question," America said.
"Russia what happened to you?" China asked worriedly, his brown eyes searching.
"Yeah, Russia, what's got you so beat up?" Prussia pondered in a sing-song voice.
Russia ignored them all and had only eyes for Italy. Italy moved a bit, and Russia jumped to get up immediately as if he were a shark ready to pounce at the slightest smell of blood in the water. America restrained him seeing the way Russia's sharp shoulder blades flexed tautly through the coat.
"R-Russia, Good to see you're feeling all better! Don't kill me!" Italy cried wishing he had his white flag with him. He briefly thought of using the white napkin but decided against it.
"Kol, kol, kol, kol, kol, kol," Russia chattered radiating a purple glow.
"Calm the fuck down already!" America shouted struggling to stop Russia from leaping up and strangling Italy.
"Nyet. I will beat Italy with bare hands for drowning me."
"Drowning you? What the hell are you talking about?" America asked shocked. Canada's eye widened, and he immediately looked to Italy's stiffening figure.
Russia stopped struggling and opted to glower at Italy. America felt Russia still and looked down in suspicion. Italy stopped shaking and stepped out of protective stance, exposing himself fully.
"Italy?" Japan asked confused, lowering his arms and turning his face to him.
"How did you get out, Russia?" Italy asked in all seriousness.
"Italy," Hungary breathed out surprised.
Russia bit down on his teeth. "The river does not stay frozen all day. It breaks apart in the morning. Did comrade forget this?"
"You brought this on yourself."
Russia exhaled heavily. "And how did I deserve to be drowned in a frozen river?"
Italy finally glared viciously. "Don't leave out the part where you chased me, Russia. You weren't being friendly, to begin with. Do you take me as a fool?" Italy hissed, some nations backing up unconsciously.
"Yes. Give me back what you stole, niegadzai!"
Italy was actually offended by this. He began walking toward Russia saying, "What I stole? What I stole? No, no. It's not stealing when you're getting something back that is yours, to begin with."
"...What is it that you took, little Italy?" Russia asked.
Italy stopped and marched to the table to snatch the little book from the table. He walked back to Russia's face. "This. This is what you stole!"
Russia widened his eyes, and America felt the anger flee and percolate out of Russia's body. "Oh. I had almost forgotten about that. You didn't take anything else?" Russia said much lighter and happier.
Italy creased his brows."No? What else would I want from you?"
Russia smiled wider. "Oh nothing, nothing."
"So wait. You kept the journal from Italy, Russia?" Prussia asked with a tight frown.
Russia was about to speak but Italy beat him to it. "It's actually pretty interesting. Russia had a little partner in crime! Isn't that right, America?"
All eyes turned to America, and he tightened his hold from the intense looks of suspicion. "What are you talking about Italy, I wasn't anywhere near Russia last night."
"That's not how it looked like to me," Italy turned to England, "I'm sorry, England…."
England furrowed his eyebrows, glancing side to side quickly. "Why do you say that, Italy?"
The room waited with bated breath as it waited for Italy to finally say, "Because it wasn't just enough for America to hand Russia the journal...They kissed too…"
"What?" England hissed turning and boring holes into America's uncomfortable figure.
"Okay, now you're just making shit up! I wouldn't kiss Russia, what the fuck — no! No, no, no!" America denied shaking his head as if the words off his tongue were poisonous and acrid to simply spill out of his throat.
"England, was America with you last night?" Italy asked.
"No…" England replied back. America felt his shoulders stiffen.
"I was with Canada! I wasn't with Russia! Tell 'em, bro," America countered desperately at the continuing looks of distrust from the other sitting nations and the staggering hurt in England's eyes.
Canada nodded rapidly, earnestly. "It's true, he was with me! He wasn't near Russia or doing anything like that."
"When?" Prussia demanded.
"A little after ten, I think," Canada saw the side glances and quickly followed up with, "But I'm sure he wasn't with Russia! I trust in him, he was probably out eating, right?"
Austria pursed his lips. "Of course you would trust him Canada, he is your brother. We can only hope you are not a liar because just how valuable is your word?"
"Hey, Birdie doesn't lie, right? Birdie's a good kid," Prussia defended. Canada looked away.
"But then what was the commotion with Italy and Canada just now...you know, when Canada got all fidgety and secretive," Hungary voiced but then immediately regretted it.
"Did you kiss Russia, America?" England demanded.
"No!" He shook his head so rapidly that his light glasses fell down his nose slightly. "You honestly don't think that I would so something like that, would you?"
"I don't think I quite believe that," Austria contradicted pushing up his glasses.
"I saw America as well," Japan confirmed.
America squawked. "You too Japan?! What the fuck — where is all of this coming from! I wasn't with Russia — not then, not now, not in the future for god's sake. I hate the guy, and he hates me back."
"Convincing alibi. But I still remember what happened during the Cold War," England spat out already packing up his briefcase.
"What happened in the Cold War?" France asked.
Russia tilted his head. "You never told?"
"Shut the fuck up, bastard," America threatened venomously bruising Russia's wrists.
"We haven't asked Russia if this is true or not," China said with arms crossed over his chest.
England clutched on the handle of his briefcase, the leather hot in his palm. "Well, is it?"
Russia tensed, and Canada looked at him worried. Canada's face was distressed, and Russia knew that Canada was on the verge of just screaming out the truth and shoving America away. Canada wanted to move yet Russia knew why he would not.
Russia looked down and felt everyone's burning gaze on him, piercing through his clothing and into his soul. What to do. What to do. What to do...
He then smiled.
"Da. It is true."
England clenched his jaw, and nobody commented how his eyes were getting glossy. "I see."
"Russia! You're feeding them lies, you and I both know that would never happen!" America barked out aggressively.
"That's not what you said last night, luchik," Russia sighed out fondly.
"I see. If you'll excuse me, I will be leaving the meeting now," England said marching out the door and not looking back.
America let go of Russia's hands immediately and ran after England. "Wait! England! You've got it all wrong!" America disappeared somewhere in those long hallways, and Russia stood up slowly and fatigued. He's swaying, and he could barely hold up his stance straight.
Russia was used to the hate but it seemed as though Italy was not.
"How could you Russia?" Hungary asked quietly.
Russia shrugged. "I did not approach first if that makes you feel better."
"Well, fuck. Who would have thought," Prussia said.
"Are you sure it was America, Italy? Japan? Are you sure it wasn't someone else?" France asked not quite convinced. In fact, by his little Canada's horribly sad face he knew it wasn't America. But nations were surprising, he had to remind himself and intentions were fluid and just as valid as smoke.
"I was sure of it," Italy affirmed with an assured nod of the head. "Who else would have blonde hair, is tall, and have a brown coat?"
"I can say that I saw America's figure as well," Japan said taking a seat beside China who was still not speaking or voicing how suspicious everything was playing out to be.
Japan's word held much more weight than Italy's. If Japan said it was America...why would he lie about that?
"Wait a minute, that description fits someone in this room very well!" Prussia said startling the others. Prussia pointed a finger to France.
"France!"
France put a hand over his chest. "I would never! I do not chase after taken men, Prussia. Russia is quite lovely, but ah."
"None taken, comrade," Russia said lightly.
"See? Nothing going on between us."
"Taken man? Who are you insinuating, France?" Hungary asked.
"No one," France said in what he hoped was a casual manner. It was not.
"An affair of sorts?" Austria suggested.
"France just told us nothing was going on between him and Russia," Hungary commented after not fully convinced either.
"Are we all going to forget the fact that Italy drowned Russia?" China said frustrated that such a frivolous topic was being discussed.
"Oh yes. That," Austria said dismissively.
"I think this needs to be talked about further! Russia could have died!" China insisted.
Prussia waved his hand. "Right. As if we can die from a little cold."
"This is serious. Italy is dangerous! We've been deceived!"
And when China said it out loud the reality finally sunk in. Italy had left Russia breathless and gurgling for help in a night black as a raven's feather with a remorse not shown in the present; in those freezing waters where the blue feels like sharp, small daggers, Russia would have died if he had been Ivan Braginski.
Hungary's eyes widened. "Oh, my."
"Drowning is such a nasty word," Austria amended right after.
"Drowning Russia...Sounds awesome."
They all gave Prussia a dirty look.
"I mean. That's bad. Not awesome, Italy."
China huffed. "Do you see now?"
"Why did you do it?" France asked narrowing his eyes.
Italy tilted his head, his bangs shifting due to the gravity. "Why do you ask that?"
France bit his cheek. "Why did you drown Russia?"
Italy didn't say anything, and for a moment they thought he was going to burst into tears and beg for forgiveness. It's always been that way. Italy usually didn't last very long when it came to social disapproval.
"It wasn't my intention. He wasn't supposed to drown."
Hungary was sad that Italy had to act this way. It was so unlike him, yet she knew deep down, perhaps this is how he's always been.
"Doesn't change the fact that you drowned Russia!" China kept repeating. Was it not processing in anyone's minds that Russia could have died in freezing waters — died one of the worst ways to die?
"I don't like things being stolen. Especially things that are very important to me," Italy responded back fully facing China.
Prussia glanced back to Canada, and Canada was ready to draw back a fist and apologize at the same time. It was an interesting mix as Canada's eyes showed such an interesting emotion. Prussia smiled pleased.
"Italy…" France trailed off. Italy didn't look like it, but he had moments of brattiness and aggressiveness. He cared very little about everything, cared much for the deep things, and cared deeply for the things he had a scarcity of a time when he had much.
"I — I can't believe it…!" Hungary said.
"I can't believe you're hiding something from me, but here we are," Italy remarked cheerfully. It wasn't creepy if you're always happy, right?
"Hungary, you have something to say?" France asked curiously.
Prussia moved closer to Canada. Hungary let her tongue stay put but kept Canada's posture in her peripheral vision. He better not have told Italy.
"Silence makes guilt scream much louder," China reminded.
"I'm not guilty of anything, okay? I don't have anything to hide, so I have nothing to speak of," Hungary snapped.
"Suspicious," Prussia sang.
Hungary glared at Prussia. "AGH! Whose side are you on?"
"Nobody's. I'm filling in for my little bro, remember? And in honor of him, I am staying neutral. I hate you all!" Prussia chirped.
"Good to know," Austria deadpanned. Austria then straightened his back and the countries naturally wandered their attention to him. "I think something should be done about this little...fiasco. A punishment for simplicity."
"A punishment?" Japan murmured.
"Yes. This was out of line and if taken literally, a declaration of war."
There is a mute silence. Italy rocked on the balls of his feet. Nervous or bored, it didn't matter now, does it?
"Russia?" Austria asked turning his head to meet Russia's gaze.
"No war. Too poor, I want to eat," Russia said digging into his pocket. He pulled out a piece of paper but sighed when he saw it soaked. The numbers were all blurred now.
Austria seemed pleased and unpleased with the answer. "That is good, I suppose. Now, let's actually get the full story here since I'm the only one with a brain it seems. Italy, did you have any help with this endeavor?"
"No."
"Are you telling the truth?"
"Yes."
"Did you try to drown Russia? Can this be confirmed that it was done by your hand?"
"It wasn't my intention. It was accidental."
Russia growled, and China offered an eggroll to calm him down.
"But did you," Austria asked a little more aggressively.
"...Yes," Italy responded blankly.
"Do you feel remorse?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Woah, woah, woah. Why do we have to punish Italy?" Hungary butted in after Italy's silence.
"Are you condoning this behavior, Hungary?" Austria asked sharply.
"We haven't heard his side of the story. There could be more to this!"
"That was what I was doing," Austria responded with his eyebrow twitching slightly.
"What else could it be other than he wanted something, and he had to get rid of Russia to get it?" China asked.
"Those who want to punish Italy, raise your hand. We're taking a vote on this," Hungary instructed not raising her own.
Canada raised his hand and Prussia commented, "Wow, really? Damn, this is new."
China raised his hand immediately and so did Austria. Prussia's stayed down and so did Japan's. It now just left France to break the three versus three tie in the room.
Italy wrung his hands and France cold see the true worry in him. The panic, the fear, the unwavering intensity, the realization that he for once is being labeled as something nefarious. France didn't think Italy should be punished...sweet little Italy shouldn't have to be treated like that…
France knew in his heart that this vote could be the start of something greater. Something that might begin and not know when to end. Just like his revolutions, someone will never be happy and demand things they don't know what do with or why.
He felt the pressure to raise his hand or not as he was just raising it half way.
"France? What do you think?" Hungary prompted.
France knew he was going to regret this later. He kept his hand down.
Austria frowned. "I see."
Hungary smiled triumphed. "Well, it looks like you got off the hook Italy. Nothing too devastating."
Italy smiled relieved.
"But," Austria cut in swiftly, "this act can not go without some consequence."
Italy dropped his smile.
Hungary bit her lip and hated herself for agreeing with Austria.
"I say the journal should be handed to more people," Canada proposed. "To make it more equal."
Italy bore into Canada's eyes and Canada did not look away. Italy's eyes eventually flickered back to Austria's. Were they the same shade of purple, he wondered. Purple was the color of royalty...the color of fierceness and divinity. Italy smiled.
How fitting.
"I don't want it," China stated bluntly.
"I don't think France should have it either," Hungary said sending France her apologies in her mind.
"I do not want it either," Austria said stiffly. Prussia knows why he wouldn't want it. It would be much more haunting to him than to Germany. The words aren't words to him, they are stilled voice recordings. He was there when all of this happened...when it happened.
He doesn't need the journal to preach the nightmare he knows all too well.
Hungary looks uncomfortable too. She still feels as though that isn't her property—not in the sense of Germany's, but someone else's. "Maybe something else…" she says before France walks out in rage.
"Drown him," Russia suggested
Italy shook. Russia smiled. "Drowning in river sounds like a good plan to me, comrades."
"We are not drowning him!... Yeah. We aren't," Hungary repeated to justify it to herself too.
"Eye for eye, da?" Russia persisted more forcefully.
"No, Russia," China disagreed. Russia frowned.
"Embargo!" Prussia chimed.
They all look at him crazily.
"Just a suggestion."
Austria shook his head. "Buffoon. Right now —"
"Right now, we need to go after America and figure out what the hell is going on!" Hungary finished eagerly to mend relationship troubles.
"We don't need to go after them. It's a classic case of cheating. Let them figure that out on their own," Austria dismissed irritated.
"But without America's help, how will Italy continue?" Japan said leaving the room with an uncomfortable feeling. Did they even want Italy to continue this?ˆ
"It's fine, Japan. I don't need America anymore," Italy answered back crossing his hands over one another.
"You don't? I thought you were getting along so well with America," France said confused.
Italy spun around to face France. "Oh, I was. But then things came up. I don't like secrets."
France winced. "Right."
"Well, that goes back to our original topic. Does anyone have anything else to share? And no hiding anything this time. We have seen how...devastating a secret can be," Austria said not so discreetly calling Russia out.
"What about the rest of the entry?" Canada asked softly. He would point to Hungary for her secret, but it wasn't her that he was angry at. Now if he had something on Italy...
"Should we continue?" Hungary asked picking up the book again in her hands. She looked around the table and found a table divided between those who want to keep sitting down and listen and those who want to get up and leave already.
"How about this," France began, "Those who want to listen, stay. Those who don't. Leave."
The nations looked to Russia to confirm this, and he just nodded his head. Not many wanted to leave the table in fear of being perceived wrongly. No one could escape the eye of suspicion, and no one wanted to be scrutinized under it. The only one to leave was China because working on exports and imports was more important than the woes of a European nation.
Hungary cleared her throat and began to speak feeling that things were much more somber now.
"I hear voices bickering and crying out for help. The voices make me uneasy. I look around sometimes if the others hear it but they don't.
It's like constant radio noise in my head. I can never focus on just one voice, the man and woman whispering loudly in tears and telling me to help and then to stop already. It's as though Austria is slamming the keys to his piano nonstop into my ears, and he won't stop even for sleep.
The only way I can describe it is in the scenario of a crowded diner. Everyone is conversing and talking loudly. The cellos play in the back, and someone claps loudly from the table behind. It's a little hard to concentrate on the table, everyone is so immersed in someone else. Then someone from across the room shouts at you happily. They won't come closer, and you only pick up fragments of the sentence.
It's like I am in that diner at all times, only strings of words coming together to make an incoherent sentence.
But it isn't always bad. They go away sometimes, and I have days where it is just silence.
I don't hear anything right now. That is good I suppose. I wonder when they will come back. What are they? Why do I feel suspicion and resentment pool within me from these voices? Is there something I do not know of? Something Brother isn't telling me — something my boss isn't telling me?"
"That's it," Hungary finished.
Murmurs rang through.
"What do you think this means, Italy?" France asked.
Italy bit his lip. He looked to the side to gather his thoughts. Whenever he had talked to Germany (which was a lot) he never seemed out of it back then. He looked at him as attentive as ever and nodded his head as though every word stuck in his brain. He never looked pained and if he did rub his temples, it would be because Italy had done something irritating like leaving the bath water running all night long.
"I think that Germany was in a lot of pain that he never told me," Italy answered crestfallen. He really did look as though as if he was about to cry, but a tear didn't escape. Something about not seeing Italy in tears felt worse.
"Yes, it would seem so," France said.
"Do you think that," Italy began, "the voices could have been his people?"
"His people? We don't actually hear them," Austria said.
"In times of great stress we do," Russia corrected. "It mainly happens in extreme internal conflicts. Civil wars and revolutions, mostly."
"But Germany didn't have that. If anything that would be Spain. But even then, his civil war would have already ended at that point," Canada interjected.
"The Resistance then?" Hungary suggested.
"Could be. Or you know. The Jews," France said.
"...Or that," Italy echoed softly.
"You know, that would make a lot of sense," Hungary pondered out loud, "That makes a whole lot of sense."
"Would it?" France said not expecting an answer to come back.
"Let's just assume it is. Italy, you said you have never read this right?" Canada asked.
"Right," Italy agreed. The rest looked to Prussia to see if this is true. Prussia nodded his head.
"Then that only means what Italy said back then was true. This only helps his point."
"What point?" Austria asked.
"That Germany was helping the Jews back then. Remember that long period of M.I.A. he went through? I'm sure if we read further that will be the explanation for it."
Austria stiffened as though a needle had been placed on the back support of the chair. He looked to his right to meet Hungary's eyes, and her eyes spoke the same as his.
"I thought Austria said to reveal important things," Hungary said smoothly to cover up the reaction.
"But Hungary, you were there with him. We thought you knew since you were part of the Axis and all," Canada said confused.
She laughed. "Of course! Of course, I knew that!" She waved them off as they were the strange ones.
"Hungary is going crazy?" Russia asked.
"No, not crazy," Hungary said folding her hands over her lap.
"So it's settled then? That Germany was out helping the Jews?" France asked. "And if so, what to do with the mysterious lover."
"You're not implying that he was out helping because of that," Austria said appalled.
France shrugged. "Germany is a strange man."
"I do not find that likely."
"But that still leaves the question of the mystery bedmate."
"Can we just drop that subject? It's probably not even important. We all fool around here and there," Hungary said exasperatedly.
"True," France agreed.
"Well, if nothing else is going to be said, I say it's about time we end this thing," Hungary said eager to leave. They were just talking in circles, and the ones that actually had information were not willing to share. She doubted France had anything of value to say because he has not talked with Germany in quite some time, and the others were hiding things that she did not appreciate being kept hidden.
"I agree," Austria said pushing his glasses up.
"Is the meeting over?" Italy asked getting up as well. He looked lost in thought, all previous words flying over his head.
"This meeting is over," Russia confirmed.
France and Austria left immediately. Italy just stood there next to Japan seeing the clear skies of Moscow through the window.
"Are you alright, Russia?" Hungary asked walking toward Russia. "You should probably change into some dry clothes before you come down with something. You're weak enough as it is."
"I'll go with Russia," Canada said putting on his gloves.
"Don't go chasin' Russia, Birdie. He's been called dibs on," Prussia teased in a light tone.
Something passed over Canada that Prussia couldn't decipher.
"Right," Canada said. Prussia scanned Canada over and thought back to what Italy said. And to what Japan said. He furrowed his brows.
"Hey wait a minute. Canada...was that you?" Prussia asked.
Canada stiffened. Meanwhile, Hungary was beginning to let it loose with Russia and that distracted the two males for a second.
"RUSSIA! How could you! England and America are meant for each other! Why would you destroy something like that — something so beautiful?" Hungary was hissing like some kind of cat and glaring daggers.
"Answer me!" Hungary stomped her foot.
"Nyet. Not in my place," Russia responded calmly. He went to the floor and picked up his beating heart. He clutched it in his hands, and the organ stayed there in its shades of squishy red and purple rivers.
"This," he held up the convulsing muscle, "This means nothing to me for America. It's still beating, yes? But for someone else, sillies," Russia said placing the heart back in his chest. It was a grotesque sight.
"You still had no right to do that. To go ruining someone's relationship like that. That was so selfish of you," Hungary said thoroughly. Maybe it wasn't what Hungary said, but how she said it. Perhaps she didn't mean to sound condescending, but Russia still did not like to be talked in any form of disrespect.
Russia whipped his head to her. It's always been like this. Russia is savage. Russia is uncivilized. Russia is evil. Russia really isn't European it's that country over there where it's cold and brutal. Russia is so poor and behind the times. Russia is only Moscow, everything else doesn't matter.
"I am selfish? I am not the one keeping vital information from our little friend," Russia spat. Hungary's face paled.
Italy glanced over to Hungary from the window.
"Don't think I don't have dirt on you. I know exactly what this little thing is," Hungary said in hope that Russia would be quiet.
"And what is that?"
Italy turned his head. "What's being kept? What are we talking about?"
Hungary almost smiled. "Should I tell him, Russia? I know you were counting on this scheme to get sabotage but you heard Austria. You don't know how devastating a secret can be."
"I tell if you tell first," Russia said neutrally.
"You know, I think I might just do that." Hungary faced Italy's expectant face. "So here's the thing. Wanna know what's been bugging me? You see, Prussia has been trying to keep something from you, and he's been mean to me about because he thinks it's my fault. But! It's actually not! Because his —"
"Don't go mixing up the story Hungary," Prussia warned with a growl. She wasn't. Prussia just didn't think she would actually say it in these circumstances.
Russia didn't think Hungary would actually do it. He panicked internally.
"I am not mixing up the story, you just don't want Italy to know either. You're just as guilty as I am," Hungary bit back.
Canada moved closer to Russia. "I think we should go now."
Russia agreed. "Let's go."
Hungary saw Russia about to leave the door, and she couldn't have that either. "Wait! Just where do you think you're going?"
"Out of room. My country, my rules. Goodbye!" Russia said blowing them a kiss and then closing the door. Canada smiled but they weren't sure if he did or not before the heavy door closed shut quickly.
Now it was just Prussia, Hungary, Italy, and Japan.
"That damn Russia. He agreed he wouldn't do something stupid," Hungary muttered angrily.
"Hungary. It was Canada, wasn't it. That was the big secret, wasn't it?" Prussia said trying to keep the anger out of his voice.
Hungary blinked surprised. "You figured it out?... I mean no! Of course not!"
"Yeah. It was." She smiled a bit. "Congrats. You figured it out. Russia and Canada are dating."
Prussia ran his hand through his hair. "I should have known." Prussia grabbed his jacket and shoved his arms into the sleeves. "I see how it is. I see exactly how it is."
"Wait, where are you going? It doesn't change the fact that America cheated or anything," Hungary followed up before Italy could comment.
Prussia turned sharply towards her. "Are you a dumbass? It was never America, Hungary. It was Canada. America didn't cheat on England, and Russia just said that to have sabotage. You said this before!"
"...I guess I can't keep playing dumb. But what are you going to do?"
"Don't worry about me. You worry about yourself." And then Prussia stormed out of the room, slamming the door shut angrily.
Hungary looked down. She felt her eyes start to sting. "What have you done. What have you done?" Her voice was soft, the disbelief an echo of what she had wanted to say all along.
"It wasn't America. I was wrong?" Italy asked shocked. He turned around to Japan with wide eyes. "We were wrong, Japan!"
"It would seem so."
Hungary shook her head sadly. "I can't say I'm much better, huh?" She left the room, her heels making soft clicking sounds as she opened the door and closed it gently behind her.
Now it was just Italy and Japan. Italy looked out to the window and almost expected Hungary to be out there, but he knew that would be wishful thinking.
"Do you think they hate me now?" Italy asked.
Japan moved to Italy's side. "It is not a matter of love or hate at this point."
...
Italiya — Italy in Russian
Niegadzai — Good for nothing in Russian. A pretty tame insult, actually. If you want to spice up your sailor's mouth, look up Russian insults.
Luchik — Ray of light in Russian. A term of endearment for your special someone. I thought it was cute and fitting for the implied RusAme.
Japan's Naval Planning — Japan had been planning Pearl Harbor since April of 1941. Thus the angry glare from America.
...
Well, that was melodramatic af. Sorry guys, my love for novellas gets the best of me sometimes.
I don't have much to say than thank you once again~! Shout outs to Kimsworrall and Pfeh for reviewing and sticking through. I hoped this chapter didn't totally suck :P See you guys in the next one and don't forget to review!
