Chapter 28: Meeting you in a rain of ashes
Romano never thought that his first meeting with Alice since the Armada incident would have been brought about by war. But he should have known. He should have expected this. After all, the only interaction between nations is always brought around by wars. And this time is no different.
Except that this isn't just some war.
This war is beyond everyone's worse expectations. Multiplied by ten. And then worse than that. And that was still an understatement.
But for Romano, this war had one positive aspect: He would get to see Alice again.
Those thoughts were trotting in the Italian's mind as he and his brother (recently unified as Italy) were walking down the dark tunnels underground and into a military bunker in France. Inside the closed space, especially constructed for security and protection against any outside attack, a single table and three people seated opposite to the two empty seats awaiting the Italians. From left to right, the young teen Russia and his determined expression fuelled by the passion of youth that Romano had long got over after so many years, France looking a mess with all his bandages and his hair had been cut short (more practical for battlefields), and finally, Romano's eyes settled on England, proud and harbouring her usual cold façade with her cold emeralds as lifeless as the precious jewels they resemble.
Feliciano clung worriedly to his brother as Lovino advanced, hearing the door shut close and lock from the outside as the five nations got isolated from the rest of the world. He took his offered seat whit his brother next to him. The one to speak was France, with Russia following and learning, England supervising and calculating the situation. Lovino occasionally glanced at the French but his gaze was for most of the interview focused on Alice. Not once did she show any recognition of him, but then again, not once did he show her anything more than a cold heartless demeanour.
"B-But … We don't want to go to war …!" Romano heard his younger brother babble naively. France frowned in slight annoyance while Russia rolled his eyes. Lovino didn't know the Russian nation all that well but so far, all he could see was a young and easily influential 16 year old child. He reminded him of that America. Young, reckless, growing big way too fast, and not aware of the horrors the world holds. He'll soon learn. It's only a matter of time and Romano vaguely wondered what kind of result this devastating war would have on the young nation. Especially this war.
"Fratello, shut up for minute." Lovino finally spoke, interrupting whatever France was about to reply, and all eyes settled on him. Despite speaking back to France, Romano's gaze was still locked on England.
"Italy's joining of the Triple Alliance had been only as a defensive measure. If those potato eaters want to start a war, then we will not take part, I believe is what my fratello is trying to say."
His voice was harsh and held a hint of darkness that made Russia weary and France sigh. England showed no reaction aside from her stern watching green eyes. The Italian continued, undisturbed.
"Here's our position: We have been offered Tunisia if we remained neutral in this conflict and potato bastards won. If they didn't, we'd still have no loss or suffered any damage from this war. Now tell me, what could you all possibly have to offer that would remotely bring me about to change my mind?"
The room remained silent for many minutes until England spoke back.
"I'd be fine having your full consent of remaining neutral."
"I'm not." France replied as he pushed a piece of paper towards the Italian for him to read. Romano's eyes surveyed the notes and a smirk cornered his lips.
"Your offer?"
"Our offer." France answered while England turned back to emotionless stares.
"What about America? Wouldn't he be interested?"
France's eyes widened at Romano's enquiry and he glanced at England worriedly. She looked unfazed but Romano could see past her façade and through the mist of her emerald eyes, he saw her angered and hurt look. Apparently, America felt himself above all this conflict. The southern Italian sighed and shook his head, letting his guard down for the first time as he watched his mother with concern.
"Any other allies?" he asked and France was quick to answer.
"Japan."
"Ve? I've never met him before. Is he nice?"
"Fratello, I told you to keep quiet."
"S-Scusa, Roma." The younger Italian mumbled. His eyes crossed the purple ones of Russia and he shied away and closer to his brother.
"Romano … what is Italy's decision? Will you help us or keep your neutral stand?"
Romano's eyes kept fixed on England. Although she hid it, he could tell she too suffered injuries and was in a bad condition. Not as bad as France but still. And her pain at the mention of America … she obviously had thought of him but looks like the kid was still sulking away and shun her down. Pathetic shit … Romano growled to himself, surprising the other nations.
"Veni, Vidi … e vadò vici." The Italian growled as he stood up, his signature clear on the bottom of the paper France had given him. (I came, I saw … and I will conquer – mix of Latin and Italian)
Feliciano looked at his brother hissing in anger as he banged on the door, ordering it open and left the bunker. Hurriedly he followed after him, not without glancing back at the Triple Entente and his eyes focused briefly on Alice whom he smiled to and spoke cheerfully.
"Miss Alice! Fratello will be fine! He's just really angry! Did you know! Did you know! We're united now! Like you and your brothers, si?"
Alice, for the first time allowed a smile on her lips and her eyes warmed up to the jumpy Italian.
"Yes, I heard. I'm glad. Now run along or you'll lose your brother, si?" She spoke back in Spanish, surprising France and confusing Russia but Itlay just smiled idiotically and ran after his brother calling him loudly.
France and Russia both turned to England with confused faces but the woman only smiled.
"I guess we got ourselves a new ally." She whispered. She felt guilty for dragging Romano into this war and really did want him to stay neutral for his own sake. But deep down, secretly, Alice felt happy that Romano chose her over his own safety. She felt he still cared for her and that, more than anything, warmed her heart in a way she had long thought impossible since America's change of heart towards her. Had Canada and her brothers not been there, Alice felt she might have broken down. But seeing Romano after all those years … it made her feel that maybe she could move on and get herself back into gear. She had to! She had to if she wanted to protect Belgium and defeat her infernal Prussian ex. Pity she'd be up against Elisaveta.
Pity she's going to war once more.
Pity none of them knew … just how devastating and mentally harming this war would grow to become. By Christmas, it will be far from over.
Spain sighed heavily as he heard of the news.
"So Romano is going to war, is he?" The man twirled his wine in his glass, olive eyes flashing over the words of the telegram.
"I guess, it's to be expected. Lovi, you're still too emotional." The Spaniard shook his head in sadness.
He knew why Romano had chosen the Triple Entente's side rather than their original partners. Whatever politicians and statesmen decided, whatever forms and papers were signed, whatever public calls were made, whatever prizes were promised, Spain knew exactly that none of those mattered to his son. The only reason Romano left his neutrality was for Alice.
"I wonder how long it will take until you end up having to point your gun at your mother."
Spain himself knew from experience that war only brought pain. He didn't want to risk his chance again. And what little feelings of humanity he still held, he didn't want to lose it all in a pointless war. Not to mention that he physically could not support a war and his economy was failing greatly.
Alice chose war.
Because Belgium was neutral and still got harmed.
Lovino chose war.
Because Alice needed help.
Antonio chose neutrality.
Because he didn't want to see those he loved die by his hand anymore.
"You're still reading it over again, idiot?"
Spain's head snapped up as he saw his brother Portugal, fully dressed to leave and walk out his door. The Spaniard shrugged as the ocean blue eyes of the other settled on him.
"Aren't you leaving? I'm sure Alicia is waiting."
João lifted a surprised eyebrow before heading out.
"You know … I'm still surprised you won't lift a finger in this war. Didn't Lovino ask you for help too?"
"He did."
"And?"
"And I'm not his care-taker anymore. My obligations towards him ended with his unification and independence."
"So you're just going to sit there, grow tomatoes and watch?"
Antonio shrugged the furious glare of his brother off.
"I'll send you all of my mental support."
"Charming. But I'd rather not have you think of me. It's only making me want to kill you more."
"I was planning to think of Alice. You should hurry."
"If you're so worried about her, why aren't you going for her yourself?"
"Who said I'm worried?"
"You're a lying bastard, Spain. I hope Germany blows you up like he did Belgium! Then maybe that'll get your arrogant ass moving!" João growled as he walked out of the house, eager to leave this place.
"… Take care of them, brother." Antonio pleaded in a whisper as he heard the door slam shut.
America fidgeted nervously in his plane, clenching in his fist the telegram his government had received from British secret services. With Mexico dealing business with the Central European powers, Alfred had no choice but to engage in the war. Germany had already targeted enough of his merchant ships and it was really starting to get to him.
That and also … Alfred had heard of how bad the conditions were and how inhumane this war had become. He worried. He regretted brushing Alice away. Now, she won't even look at him on the rare occasion they met. Why would she? He had torn himself away from her, isolated his person from the rest of the world, ignored all of his brother's attempts to contact him and even tried to invade Canada forcefully. He and Alice had not spoken in decades. And her government was far from friendly with his own. But Alfred couldn't stop himself from worrying and feeling guilty. He could have listened to her earlier … the first time Alice personally talked to him since his independence and it was to warn him. She didn't even plead for his help. She's too proud for that. She simply …
"America, you can hide all you want but the world won't stop spinning with or without you. This war is not just going to limit itself to Europe. Believe me when I say that your ridiculous attempt to isolation is going to near its end. And I won't be the one to drag you in this. You will. As a free independent decision you will make." She smirked those last words and walked away, green uniform covered by her usual red coat.
She was right. As always. And Alfred felt once again an ignorant child getting patronized by the blonde woman. It's infuriating.
Romano looked up and glared. Of all the people, why did it have to be this bastard?!
Alfred walked in the room and glared. Oh great! The Italian bastard is here too!
The two men glared mutual hatred at each other until they were soon joined by France talking with Russia. Russia looked over at America in curiosity, having never met him until now. While France sighed heavily at the tensions he felt between his two allies. Of course, he was glad that America had joined on their side, and thanks to Romano, German invasion of the West had been slowed down drastically. But … Why was it so hard for young nations to put their emotions aside and focus on the war at hand? Immature children …
Japan and Scotland were next to walk in, talking strategy with each other and they both seemed to be quite close friends. Although not known from many but Scotland has close links with Japan and their friendship dates back centuries. Neither took notice of the hot-headed young nations and vice versa.
Not until England walked in along with Portugal. She was laughing at something her best friend had said. Her emerald eyes fell on the first person she recognised in the room as she walked in. She smiled at her crimson haired brother, and the man smiled back. Smiles that didn't go unnoticed by America and the young nation couldn't help glaring at Alistair. Romano simply rolled his eyes at the childish display of Alfred. But both America and Romano had now darted their eyes on Alice and weren't planning to move away any time soon.
Alice felt their gazes on her. She smiled weakly at Lovino but was still unsure of how to engage a conversation with him. So far they had only talked business and nothing more. Never showing feelings to each other. Then her eyes shifted to Alfred, and her expression grew cold. She still felt the stabbing pain of betrayal but she was willing to put her feelings aside for the sake of victory. Besides, she didn't feel resentful of her former colony anymore. The anger was gone and only the pain remained. But again, she had not yet spoken to America ever since his independence and only for business related matters.
Her family is fucked up, isn't it? Oh well … Nothing new here! Alice chuckled as she thought of her older brothers and her eyes glanced briefly at Scotland. Nothing new here.
After the meeting was over, Alice walked out of the bunker and settled herself on the broken ruins of some buildings in the Italian city they were stationed at for now. She couldn't remember the name of the place, and frankly she didn't care. Her brother was already gone to contact Wales and Ireland to let them know about the meeting. France was discussing strategies in Asia with Japan to use against China. China …
Alice shook her head, clearing the memory of the Chinese man away from her mind.
Portugal had already left. And Russia was getting into a childish argument with America. Typical of America. The woman chuckled but felt her voice break. How long has it been since she had breathed something else besides the thick polluted air of battlefields? The smell of gunpowder was the air she got used to along with an ash-filled atmosphere. Even now …
Alice gazed at the setting sun. In the distance she guessed Spain far ahead. The Empire of the Sun. The Conqueror of Lands. She watched the blood red horizon dusted of a thick dark air, the sound of bombing and shooting had temporarily stopped and only a graveyard silence reached her ears. Not a soul in sight in the destroyed city. Not even dead body as they had already been buried with exploding bombs or burned to ashes … the same ashes infiltrating her lungs. The sky bleed red and dark clouds hovered above, but no rain dared to fall. The burning soil was still impure for the cold liquid to bless with forgiveness. In this hell made real, Alice contemplated the madness of man.
And she smiled.
Footsteps walked up behind her. Alice didn't even glance back and felt a presence sit down next to her. She didn't bother looking as she already knew the person. Time passed, seconds ticked by, and neither of the two nations spoke. In a thoughtful silence, they watched the sun set and drown in the surrounding darkness. Only when the sky stretched its pitch-black wings and the weak shimmer of a covered moon blinked shyly through the clouds, did Alice hear the man next to her speak.
"I love you too."
Alice didn't move, her breath accelerated and her heart rushed but a broad smile curled her lips. After so many letters and a stubborn silence for all answer, she was finally hearing Lovino's reply.
"Thank you, Love."
Lovino nodded back. He kept his eyes locked on the horizon, too afraid he might lose his courage if he so much as glanced at his mother. He didn't even there touch her, despite the tempting proximity. Instead, he let his mind wonder, enjoying the sound of her breathing and her salty scent that he recognised from his memories.
"I … missed you." He spoke again, his voice deeper and more of a whisper as he feared it might crack from his bottled up emotions.
"Me too." Came the soft reply of the woman.
They both watched in a sad nostalgic silence as the world drowned itself into darkness, chaos reigned on the land, and madness rang in people's minds. Tears never fell. It was yet too early for that. The tears would come eventually, when nostalgia takes over the folly.
And on that day, it will rain.
Romano smiled as he smelled the burning ashes of the air. He smiled and watched the world crumble before him. He smiled and even laughed. He heard Alice laugh along with him. And like two hysterical madmen, they laughed all night long until the sun rose again and bloodied the sky.
A war.
So horrible that it's almost …
Funny.
Before the tears, people will laugh.
