Love Like Starlight

Disclaimer: I do not nor will I ever own Hetalia. Everything belongs to the respective owners.

The Sun

Arthur and Alfred's House

Arthur's head throbbed in the morning light, almost like he had a hangover, but he knew it wasn't so because he hadn't been drinking the night before. He had cried himself to sleep then. His relationship with Alfred frustrated him to no end, but yesterday something…something had broken. He realized this with startling clarity as the events rushed back to him. The stupid argument and the fight that followed, the heartbroken look on Alfred's face that made him feel ashamed after he had shouted those damning words.

"I hate you! How I was bound to an immature, idiotic git like you I'll never know, but I hate it! You're an insufferable prat that pretends to be a hero!"

Lies. Why couldn't he have been honest for once? Told Alfred he found his quirks endearing but a bit too overwhelming sometimes?

He was cold and the blinds were open meaning Alfred had not joined him last night. When Arthur tried to reach for their bond he couldn't feel Alfred, couldn't sense him at all. Only two things could have caused that, either Alfred's death…or the relinquishing of the bond. Arthur's breath hitched. He hadn't meant those words, he hadn't; he needed Alfred, Alfred who cared, who stayed with him, who made him feel like he mattered to someone.

His breathing hitched as he felt his insides churn, pain sharp as knives made him curl up as he felt the broken bond, jagged and torn with such a helpless and whimsical tune he knew that Alfred must have done it for him. Alfred must have given him up because he believed Arthur and wanted to give him something and now Alfred was changing. It was the price paid for a severed bond, to feel without knowing the depth of love and the one to break it would suffer while the one who was released could feel the suffering. A double-edged blade wielded in a battle of the heart.

He shuddered as he vaguely recalled what he had thought to be a dream.

"Our love should have been boundless, across any distance able to withstand. Now I know it to be like the stars. Scattered and distant, never to meet and be together. I'm sorry I make you unhappy, it's the last thing I ever wanted, the last thing you deserve, so even if I can't be the bond you want I wish I could have been, on every first star and shooting star I wish it, because I love you, Arthur. I always have and probably always will, but I won't keep you somewhere you don't want to be. I'll never forget you and I'll cherish every moment we had. I never meant to hurt you if I did, but I hope you find your happiness and the love you truly deserve. I release you from this bond that ties us together against your will."

That had been Alfred's voice. It had been his words, but he hadn't thought the other would give him up so suddenly, that he wouldn't try to work it out a little longer. Grief replaced any simmering anger he could have felt. He had done this to them. He was responsible for their severed bond. Now he had to fix it. With that in mind he got dressed and set off from the house.

Antonio and Lovino's House

Antonio awoke alone. Not that he wasn't expecting it, of course he was, because yesterday had been one of the worst fights he and Lovino had had with one another. It was of no consequence really, they always said things they didn't mean, avoided talking about it, and let life continue.

It took him longer to awaken than normal, but even still it was only because he realized the house was silent. It was never silent. Lovino was always cursing something, or humming, or trying to hide his beautiful singing voice that Antonio just loved, but no. There was nothing but a still, cold silence that made his chest ache for some reason.

Where was his Lovino? Where was the man who he had come to love despite his constant lies and false anger whose eyes gave away his true emotions and never let anyone else get close enough to see him? He got up and searched the house to find it empty and after getting dressed he went outside to search the fields Lovino loved to spend hours tending to, yet still he could not find his love.

He tried to think back to the fight. Lovino had said something and he had said something and Lovino had gotten upset which made him upset and it kept going until he snapped – oh. He had snapped at his beloved. He had hurt his Lovino, the words he had said that had hurt his lover hit him with a force far stronger than any fight he had ever been in with some of the others.

"…you'll never be anything compared to Feliciano."

It killed him to recall the look of utter betrayal and, worse, acceptance of such a comment in Lovino's eyes. He had thought Lovino would yell back, had thought to hear an argument, but he had done the unforgivable and hurt his bond mate, his soul mate, comparing him to his brother. He had known that would hurt him. He had known it.

Antonio felt for the bond, reaching for the other half of his soul, desperate to try and send reassurance through their bond, to find where Lovino had gone so he could apologize properly…he couldn't feel anything but the shatters left by a torn bond. He imagined that must have been what his beloved was like, so easy to break but pretending to be strong. He had always looked strong even when he took other's words to heart and Antonio hated knowing he was responsible for destroying that light. The bond was scattered, hurt, widely scattered, but if he could find Lovino before he changed completely maybe he could get him back. Maybe the bond would be accepted again. Because he needed him.

On the road with Lovino and Alfred

Their friendship was quickly reinforced as they made their way down the road. Jokes and sarcastic quips traded back and forth, the topic of family and soul mates avoided easily. They fell into an easy sort of camaraderie. They didn't care that before the prior evening they knew little to nothing about the other, didn't care that they had never so much as acknowledged the other's presence beyond half-hearted greetings with their 'friends' and the others they knew in town.

"So what did you want to be?" Alfred asked curiously.

"Honestly? An architect. I mean, buildings, their history, all of it is one huge work of art, you know?" Lovino said, blushing as he described the one thing he honestly loved with a passion. His brother had painting and some sculptures, but he had building designs and fountains and beautifully drawn ideas for homes and other areas. "What about you?"

Alfred scratched the back of his head smiling sheepishly. "When I was little I wanted to be a scientist, I mean, it's so cool how much it just makes sense and describes everything and how much more there is to learn, but as I got older I realized I wanted to help people. I can't be a superhero or someone who's always reliable, let's face it, I'm only human, but I could help in other ways. Sure there are plenty of ways a scientist can help, but I want to physically be the one to help, so I started learning to be a doctor…maybe it's just my age, but most people don't think I can do it."

Lovino looked at the man uncertainly. Alfred looked down, a bit disappointed at the thought that no one thought he could do it, but Lovino wasn't someone who was capable of reassuring others. It always came out wrong. "Quit looking like that idiot. If you think you can do then do it. Giving up means everyone else is right."

Alfred smiled genuinely at him. "Thanks, Lovino."

Lovino couldn't help the blush or the stammered reply. Alfred was the first person to ever thank him with such sincerity…it felt nice.

"Let's rest here," Alfred said, it was a clearing, well a meadow really, not to big, but still open enough they could be comfortable for a bit.

With Arthur and Antonio

Arthur was frustrated, furious, and completely irritated. He had followed Alfred's footprints outside and down the road all the way up to the damn forest. Who the hell chooses to follow an unknown path through a forest?! Not only was it too hot, but he had run into Antonio who claimed similarly to be looking for Lovino.

"Oi! They went this way you damn Spaniard!" Arthur called to the other man.

Antonio looked at Arthur in annoyance, but said nothing as they continued walking down the path. While the bonds were faint they could both feel a pull still. A call to the other who still held their hearts.

"I can't believe I have to search with you," Arthur grumbled.

"Oh, like you can talk. You're probably the reason Alfred left! He was such a nice young man and he cared more for you than you deserve!" Antonio shot at the man.

Arthur glared. "Oh, and you probably said something stupid that sent Lovino running."

The two of them glared at each other but did not talk as they continued their walk through the forest. When they reached the clearing it was easy to spot the other two, lying side by side resting contentedly near each other. It was almost sickeningly sweet how the two curled up like they had been the best of friends and only spent their time dwindling it away with idle chatter until they collapsed.

Arthur glared at the pair, a feeling of resentment welling up inside him, but it faded just as quickly with the pang of longing that he was the one next to Alfred not Lovino. That he had been at fault and caused the other man's departure, yet he was before him, and their bond still pulsed with a blazing light that could rival the sun. He would make sure they would come out of this okay. Arthur turned his gaze to Antonio questioningly, seeing a similar sort of longing.

"Wake them up?"

He nodded in agreement and the two gently woke the others.

Alfred woke first. "Wha's goin' on?"

Arthur glared a bit at the horrible grammar but it quickly turned to irritated fondness as he said. "You made me search for you. On a blazing hot day. Through a bloody forest. Did you even think before you broke the bond? It wouldn't have put us together if I didn't feel anything for you too, git! I love you!"

Alfred blinked awake before the words registered and a smile split across his face. "Really?"

"Of course really, you-" Arthur scoffed but was quickly cut off by Alfred hugging him and kissing his lips.

Similarly, Antonio woke Lovino. "Ngh…go 'way, bastard…"

Cute~! Antonio squealed inwardly. "Lovino, mi amore, wake up, I've come to take you home…"

Lovino shot up quickly. "No! You, you get away! I left damn it! You stronzo! I broke the bond so you could be free, happy, why would you come after me?!"

Antonio grabbed Lovino's wrist holding him in place, searching Lovino's eyes with his trying to find the love the other had. Even in the shattered heart of his love it remained strong. That pure love only Lovino could give him. "I only want you. I only need you. I only love you, mi amore. I've no wish to separate from you. I will love you and only you for always. Come back, beloved?"

Lovino looked at Antonio hesitantly. Could he really mean that? Despite all of everything Lovino did and all his mistakes, could Antonio truly want him back?

"Okay." It was simple. Such a simple agreement, but the words made Antonio smile widely before he too pulled his lover in for a kiss.

They may have all had a rough start. Everything may have been difficult and sure there were lots of fighting and arguments, but now they had come to an understanding. All of their eyes closed as the bonds pulsed back to life; they didn't notice the radiant light that surrounded the clearing, the glow bright like the sun that signified glorious reunion and acceptance. It was a bond of not only friendship, but love that had gone through the worst of their hardships. There would always be more, but never would they require the crippling reassurance the bond was right. Never again would they be able to doubt the others love and sever it in a moment of weakness. Their love would burn brightly, like the sun.

A/N: All that's left is a small epilogue. Please review, I'd love to know what you guys thought.