Chapter 13: Magda

Fear is a funny thing. Either it makes you paralyzed and unable to move or it gives you the strength to do things you wouldn't usually dare to. I hate to admit it, but I fall into the former category. Talking to strangers, heights, and feelings made me terrified and if possible I would ignore them, yet there's always times in your life when you have to face your fears and make a choice.
Today would be one of those times. I had to face Spain and confront him. Ask him why he has ignored me for so long. It had left me without sleep for many nights and I feared that rest would never come to me if I didn't know.

I was standing outside the world meeting building, waiting patiently for the meeting between the Axis and Allies to end. Éloïse had said that I shouldn't bother, but I knew that she deep down didn't want me to get hurt. It was something strange about the way she said it, like it was more to it than just a general concern. Like she had been through something similar and didn't want me to end up like her.

It had already turned March and, although not particularly warm, you could feel the approaching spring in the air. Even if I enjoyed all seasons, in one way or another, I had to say that spring was my favourite. The world seemed to wake up again after a long sleep and there was always something hanging in the air. An excitement, which just made you feel careless and free.
Perhaps that's why I felt so bold that day.

Germany, Japan, England and America were the first one to leave. Ludwig didn't seem to notice me, or perhaps he was just ignoring me. Then France and Italy. Both of them greeted me, but that was more because of their flirtatious nature, than anything else. Lithuania and Denmark left together, the former always looked like he was afraid he would be attacked in any moment.
Then Russia, Belarus and China. Ukraine left alone with a sad expression on her face. I couldn't imagine how she must feel. I and Ludwig might not be on the best terms but I would never start a war against him. Spain was the only one who hadn't left and of course…..
"Maggie", Gilbert exclaimed when he saw me. I sighed. I didn't have either the time or patience to deal with him. He put an arm around my shoulder.
"What are you doing here?" he asked. "Did you come to see the awesome me?" I didn't want to tell him the real reason I was there so I nodded my head.

"Wonderful, you pay for lunch", he said. Feeling defeated I prepared myself to leave with him. Then I saw Spain leaving the building.
"Spain!" Gilbert said loudly. Spain stopped in his steps and looked up at Gilbert with a tired glare.
"Prussia", he muttered.
"Have you met my sister?" Gilbert asked. Spain looked at me and he looked surprised to see me there.
"We sit next to each other at the meetings", I explained.
"Great then you can join us for lunch", Gilbert said and grabbed me and Spain in each arm and we had no say in the matter.

If my brother hadn't been there I could have asked him about his strange behaviour, but my brother was there and he happened to be the only one that didn't know what had happened and I wanted things to stay like that for as long as possible.
Gilbert dragged us to an Italian restaurant and I could tell by how nice the exterior looked it would be very expensive. Spain must have had similar thoughts as he got a troubled expression.
"Don't worry, Maggie's paying", Gilbert said and dragged us both inside.

It smelled of different spices and faintly lemon and lime. Italian music was playing and it was like you had come to Italy. We sat down by a table and a waitress handed us the menu. Gilbert was talking and talking while I tried to decide what I should have that was the cheapest.
Gilbert ordered a big bowl of Carbonara and a Pizza. I ordered a small bowl of Carbonara and Spain settled with a small salad, it didn't matter that I told him that he could take whatever he wanted.

When we had got our food Gilbert began to talk about the day's meeting.
"They're mental", he complained. "Wants us to pay for the damages".
"You're not even your own country", I reminded him.
"I know but I'm talking for my friends who has to pay", he said and looked at Spain.
"I don't think you should discuss the meetings in public", Spain muttered. Someone was in a mood today.
"Antonio, stop being such a buzz kill", Gilbert complained. "Maggie won't tell anyone"

No, I wouldn't but I knew that everyone would know the details of the meeting by tomorrow if Gilbert had any say in it. Then he told me everything. About the terms that the Axis had to agree on and how fun he thought it was to see Russia scare Lithuania. I'm not sure why Lithuania agreed to go to war against Russia since he was so afraid of him. It was a very brave and foolish thing to do.
Spain sat quiet while Gilbert was talking and I knew that it was more to it than just ignoring me. Something troubled him and I wanted to find out what.

"Are you even listening?" Gilbert asked me accusingly.
"Yes of course", I lied.
"So what was I saying?" he asked.
"Russia and Lithuania…" I guessed.
"What's up with you two?" he asked and flicked his head back and forth between be me and Spain.
"I have to go", Spain said and stood up. Both I and Gilbert looked after him with a troubled look.

"What's with him?" I asked. Gilbert shrugged his shoulders.
"He has been like that for a few weeks", he explained. I nodded and tried to figure out what had happened that made him change so drastically.

"What happened between you two?" Gilbert asked all of a sudden.
"Me and who?" I asked dumb folded.
"You and Antonio", he said.
"Not….hing", I stuttered. Gilbert smirked at me.
"You're a terrible liar", he said. I looked around for the nearest exit. Spain was the last thing I wanted to talk about with my brother.
"Tell me", he demanded. I sighed but obliged.
"We kissed", I said. Gilbert looked surprised.
"Just a kiss?" he asked.
"Just a kiss". Then he began to laugh. And not just a soft chuckle but actual loud laughter. It made me really cross. What was so funny? He contained himself a bit when he saw my annoyed expression.
"Sorry", he said. "But one kiss? Is that what have made you awkward around each other?" I shrugged my shoulders.
"Nein, no shrugging of shoulders here fraulein", he said. Gilbert and his disability to let things go. He hadn't called me fraulein in years and would only do it when he was annoyed with me.
"I don't know", I said. "Honestly". He looked disappointed but decided to not press the matter further.

When we had eaten up and I had paid, I just wanted to go home and try not to get anxious about the failure of the day. Gilbert, however, had other ideas. He walked me home and invited himself in.

"You have such a nice home", he said. Then I knew something was up. He had been here before and not once had he complimented it.
"Just tell me", I demanded.
"Why do you always think I want something?" he asked. I raised my eyebrows.
"It's always something", I replied.
"So you have a spare room", he stated. "And I sort of need a room".
"Haven't you your own house?" I asked, although I didn't want to hear the answer.
"Well, it was on Ludwig's land and he didn't want me to stay", he said. I sighed but I knew I couldn't just throw him out on the street.
"Fine, I will let you stay here", I said and his face lit up in a smile. He walked over to me and hugged me. The gesture felt strange, since me and my brother wasn't very physical, Ludwig often said that we weren't French and shouldn't try to act like it as he believed only French people hugged to show affection.

"If you don't let me go I will let you sleep on the floor", I warned him and he let go of me.
"You won't regret it", he said.
"I'm afraid I will", I muttered.