(France)

I was focusing on the fire, not caring about the increasing darkness that had begun to surround the small camp-ground. I shivered unconsciously, and startled at the sound of furiously pounding hooves. Soon two riders appeared on the horizon, and I recognized them to be Spain and Hungary. My heart sank, and I rushed to greet them, grabbing only a small candle to light my way, which was hastily lit by my small fire.

"Spain!" I yelled, and he waved. He murmured something to his comrade, and she slowed to a halt and stayed behind, allowing for Spain to approach me alone.

"How are they?"

"They're all fine except for Austria. I assume you got my letter?"

"Si. I also assume that you know my reason for this visit."

"Oui. It's time, isn't it?"

He nodded, and bit his lip. I reached up to pat his thigh; a touch that I hoped would be reassuring to my comrade. He touched my hand in return, and I stepped away from him and his panting horse.

"So what did you tell her?"

"That we were going to see him."

"Oh. Should we hide Prussia?"

"Probably. She's tired from a hell of a lot of worrying, but she's still dangerous."

"Ok. I will do that." I turned to leave, but was stopped by a gloved hand on my head. I faced him, and felt my face pale at the obvious worry and stress on his face.

"Yes?"

"I can't help but not have a good feeling about this…"

"I know. But it has to be done."

"I know. But I will still worry."

I turned away, and ran to the tent, and shook Gilbert awake.

"France? What are you doing?"

"You have to leave for a little while."

"What?! What are you talking about?!"

"Hungary's here!"

His face reddened, and he grabbed the edges of his cot.

"No. I won't go."

It was my turn to be astounded. My jaw dropped, and I grabbed his now obstinate figure.

"What?! She'll hurt you! It's best to lie low!"

"Nein." He said this softly, and released his grip on his cot in favor for a standing position.

"Why?! Are you crazy?!"

"No, I'm perfectly fine. I've been rehearsing this ever since I found out about my mistake. I must tell her myself. It's the right thing to do. And if I get hurt, I get hurt. Hell, if I die, I die. I deserve it anyways. Besides, who better to cushion a ladies emotional fall than the awesome me?"

I gaped, and tried in vain to form a reply, but my throat was dry with the impact of what he had just said. He gently pushed me off of him, and strode over to Austria, and whispered something in his cold ear. Having seen enough, I rushed out of the tent, my head still spinning from the dizzying impact of all of these recent developments. I sprinted over to Spain, who had tethered his mount to a tree, and was now helping Hungary down from her horse.

"Spain!"

"Yeah?"

"Prussia..." I leaned towards his ear, and whispered the rest. "He wants to tell her."

"What?!" He leaned sharply away.

"That's what I said!"

"But that's-"

"I know! But what am I supposed to do about it?! He loves-"

"I know that! But how is that supposed to help?!"

"I have no idea!"

We both turned towards Hungary, who was now sprinting as fast as her legs could carry her towards the tent. We began to run, and I took the lead, arriving at the tent just in time to be slapped in the face by the receding tent flap as Hungary rushed inside. I groaned, and numbly trudged over to the large sitting log next to the fire, where Spain was waiting for me. I plopped myself down upon it, and looked at Spain.

"Well…"

"Now what?"

(Hungary)

I rushed into the small tent that stood before me, panting in excitement at the thought of reuniting with my lost love. But instead of the Austrian I expected to see, there stood Prussia, with a look in his face that I had never seen before. He carefully hid something, and I strained to see around his robust figure to what it was.

"Prussia?! What are you hiding!" I growled, and felt my excitement immediately deplete.

"You will see. But first, I must ask you to disarm yourself."

"Why?"

He winced. "I-I…y-you...just….trust me, okay?"

I grabbed my frying pan, and hesitantly placed it outside the tent. I also grabbed my riding crop while I was at it, and took the spurs off of my boots. I reentered.

"Happy?"

He nodded, and beckoned me closer to him. I obliged, and stepped over to his side. He pulled me around in front of him, and took my shoulders in his strong grip. He leaned forward, caught my eyes, and forced them to lock with his brilliant, wine colored orbs.

"Before I show you anything, I want to apologize." He licked his lips, and looked away for a second to regain himself, and then glanced back at me.

"This is the worst thing I could have ever done, and I know it. Even awesome people like me should never do such a thing. Please…" He had genuine guilt written all over his face, and I wondered what was so terrible that he had done.

"I-" He swallowed, and unbidden tears welled up in his eyes.

"I will never forgive myself."

He looked away, and pushed me beyond him, to where there was a small cot upon which Austria, looking unnaturally pale, was sleeping. I rushed over to his side, and attempted to shake him awake. He was cold to the touch, and was very limp when I pulled him into my arms.

"Austria, mein liebe, answer me! Wake up! The war's over! We can go home! Italy is waiting for you! He misses you!" I shook, and shook, and kissed, and hugged, and yelled, to no avail. Austria was completely oblivious to my prodding's, as he was in one of the deepest sleeps of his life. I pulled his blanket away, and gasped. There in the middle of his chest was the biggest sword wound I had ever seen in my life. It extended through his chest, and was only partially healed. Tears flooded from my eyes, and I threw upon my not sleeping, but dead lover, and sobbed.

"Elizaveta…"

Prussia's voice cracked as he said my name, but I was in too much internal agony to notice.

"I'm so sorry…." He whispered, and fled the tent, and left me to weep alone.