*in choke hold of a smiling Russia*
America: Hey, commie! Lay off my (technically) niece!
Russia: Nyet~! ^J^
England: Russia…
Russia: What? Is simply revenge~
France: Um, what for?
Me: I kinda… forgot to put him… in the fight scene in chapter 47… I just realized… it, but… he's mad… if ya couldn't… tell…
France, England, & America: Ah. *take HUGE step away*
Japan: … Well, I suppose this is the last chapter…
Me: NEVER! * Russia tightens his grip* Gah… I will… not… bow…!
Japan: … Master-san still doesn't own any part of Hetalia or HetaOni, nor does she own Breaking Benjamin. Enjoy what's possibly the last chapter, unless of course Master-san can make up with Russia-san. *not believing the chance*
Me: Thanks for… your confidence…
"Wh… What…?" France asked in shock. Italy nodded solemnly. "That's right. I'm the one who told America the rumors about this place. And, of course, America then immediately ran to tell you all about it," he explained, glaring at the floor. Japan blinked. "Th… then…" he began in disbelief.
"Right," Italy spat. "America didn't start this. I did. Because I told him… Because I told him, you're all here now." His eyes were watering slightly, but he refused to let himself cry like he usually would. No, he had rarely cried since they entered the mansion.
"You told him?" Prussia asked, shocked. "You're kidding, right? Why?" Italy shrugged. "No particular reason," he answered plainly. "I just… happened to hear the rumors about this place, too, and I thought America might like to hear them, what with his love for horror~." A few people shared looks with others before France walked forward and, almost sounding forceful, asked," Why did you lock us up here?" Italy gave a small, bitter laugh. "Because you would get in my way? You'd all gang up on me and ruin all of my plans. So just stay there a while, okay~?" They would have glared at him were they not too busy being shocked and horrified.
"You're bloody kidding me!" England growled. "I'll just-!" he began, trying to charge up some magic. But there was a sudden pain in his temple, so he lost the spell. "Shit… Time must be stopped here, my magic won't-!"
"Oh, that reminds me," Italy interrupted, managing a small smile as he looked at England. "Thanks. You were very helpful~." He walked a little ways closer to the door, only stopping when his hand was on the knob. He hummed for a second before setting the key next to it, which he did get glares for. "Well, I'll be going now. Thank you for finding this for me, Germany~!" he said, holding the metal piece out for them all to see. Germany growled and cursed himself for handing it over.
Italy looked back to the others after he saw Germany's anger. It wasn't much anymore, but it still hurt to see him-them so angry at him. "Everyone else, too… Thanks for everything~!" he said, smiling happily at America. The American stared blankly at him, seeing through his "smile" in an instant. He stood up from his crouched position and walked to the bars. Italy actually took his hand from the knob, intrigued by the fact that he might actually sat something.
"You know, Italy…" America began, meeting his dark brown eyes with clear blue ones. "You really should have learned to smile a little more naturally." Italy jumped at that, smile falling into a confused frown. But he made sure he kept eye contact. "Did you already forget what we said earlier? Yeah, sure, you laid out the rails. But… I'm the one who chose to follow them. I could've just as easily chosen not to, but I jumped on those damn rails." Italy broke away and looked at the ground, conflicted. America's heart skipped as he thought, yes, just maybe he could change his mind. "No one thinks it's your fault but you," he concluded.
Italy stared at the ground silently for a long time. When he looked up, he studied them as the silence continued. None of them looked angry anymore, not even Germany. They were all looking at him with sad smiles, pity and… understanding in their eyes. He was actually considering opening the cell and collapsing and begging for them to forgive him and tell them everything when Japan ran up to stand beside America and said, "Italy-kun, please! Open the door, you don't have to do this alone! We can… All together, we can get out of here! We just have to work-to stay together!" They knew he'd made his decision when his eyes steeled.
"No… No we can't," Italy stated bitterly.
"Italy!" Germany cried, shocked and appalled that he would say something that stupid. Of course they could-would all make it out of there! "Mm, let me tell you one more thing, then," Italy said, placing his hand back on the knob. "Those Things are after me; that's why, no matter how many of us are together, It will always go after me first. That's why I'd always try to keep as close to the doors as possible, though…" He chuckled as he thought back to yesterday. "… I suppose it was always a little pointless."
Yes, I did think it was odd, Japan thought, remembering every time he was with Italy. Back in the mochi room, he was in the middle of the room while they were against the wall, in the fireplace room he was always sitting in a chair close to the door, scooted back even closer to it… He would usually step away from us some. Italy closed his eyes and took a deep breath, cracking the door open. "This ends here. This will be the last time," he stated. Japan frowned, adding another question to the long list he already had for the Italian: The last time…?
Italy had only taken one step out the door when he turned to them again. "If… If I come back, give me a good scolding," he said, smiling sadly at them. Germany shook the bars furiously again. "Italy, get back here! Italy!" he shouted. Italy bit his lip as he turned away, slamming the door as he walked away at a fast pace, trying to escape his true torment yet again. Ah, but they were always with him, weren't they? Their faces, their voices, forgotten promises…
Germany banged his head against the bars in defeat. "Verdammt, Italy…"
Um… So I kinda lied… I'm back tonight… Uh, yeah, I've weired myself out, so Imma just go NOPE off this cliff *repeatedly says nope w/ fingers in ears as I walk off a randomly-placed cliff*
