"Well everything is all set up, so he was here at one point." Chloe heard someone say, German lacing their tone, "So where the hell is Feliciano?"
"He's somewhere, maybe taking Chloe out for a walk." someone pointed out, "Lovi does it with Briana."
Chloe slowly opened her eyes as the chatter below her was becoming clearer. Something began to tickle her bare breasts as she stretched...realization came to her as she looked down to her chest. There laid Feli, still asleep against her naked frame as he too was bare to the world, and the meeting taking place right under the library overlook.
She gently nudged him awake, praying he wouldn't make a sound as her eyes searched for her clothes. His groggy head lifted up as he was attempting to protest her, she threw her hand to his mouth and placed a finger to her lips, telling him to be quiet.
"Well, we'll catch him up afterwards." she heard Arthur finally, "As of now, we need to discuss the patrols and boarders as of now."
She watched him grow wide-eyed as he realized the situation, trying to stifle a laugh. She, herself, was trying not to make it obvious of their location and the actions they had taken place just a while ago. She felt him pull her body towards the wall, attempting to press himself into it to hide from them as he gathered their clothes. Chloe couldn't help but smile as their predicament came forth, trying her best to be silent and dress was harder than it seemed. Feli smiled at her as he held something up to her.
"Frilly things." he whispered as he held up her panties.
She snatched them away before a set of giggles could escape her. Finally throwing on the last bit and fixing up her hair, she crawled her way over to the banister and looked over. There below was all the nations and capitals of the Axis and Allies, all deep in conversation of the war and what they should do next. Yet Feli paid no mind to them as his lips found her neck.
"Behave." she whispered intensely at him.
"As of now Genesis has sat back and been quiet." Alfred stated, "It's like they're waiting."
"The question is, for what?" Harper questioned.
"It is hard to say." Kiku replied, "They are quite famous for it."
"That is true." Marie agreed as Brie and Juliet nodded.
"So then, the real thing as of now is what do we do until then? We have made as much advancements as we can." Francis spoke up, "We continue on the path we are, we will have a full on battle on our hands."
"As hard as it is to stomach, I believe we should just hold ground until things are set." Yao stated.
"Right then. It seems that is what needs to be done." Ludwig said venturing to the board below her and Feli, "Now to discuss how the ships should move if deemed necessary."
A sudden grunt of pain echoed the room, causing the German to pause. Chloe looked around as everyone below did the same. The only things that stuck out was Brie hiding her smile, Lily looking extremely stern and Ivan holding back something as his hand covered his mouth. The silence lasted until Ludwig set the marker down.
"Alright, whatever tension is pent up, let it out." he announced.
"Malen'kaya zhena, please remove pen from my hand." she heard Ivan groan out.
Lily lifted her hand as Ivan pulled his to his chest, shaking it as he hissed in pain, "The next time you decide to be fresh under the table, don't do it with others in the room."
"But you have those one I like so much on." he whined.
"Later." she scolded him.
"Well, it looks like our little Russian can't keep a hold of his own desires-" Francis was just short as he gasped.
"Who's are these?" Brie asked, cupping him.
"Yours."
"Good man."
Chloe giggled at the actions below as Feli did the same in her ear, pushing her head towards Arthur and Juliet.
"I swear, you all are more devious of sexual manners than most." Arthur chided.
"Dude, weren't you the one that was calling to his salty wench to help him with his cutlass?"
Arthur glared at Juliet, whom turn away and sipped her water, "You spoke of it!"
Both ran out of the room in a flash of giggles and taunts, gaining the same from the others just for Yao to clear his throat, "Well, it seems he's a good one to talk."
"Says the one that I rub against his silks, he's hard."
"Nora!"
Yet another set left the room as Ludwig shook his head, "Mein gott, you all are nuts."
"Some are, some aren't." Harper stated, "If this is done, I have a need for a bath."
Chloe noticed the sultry tone in her voice as she saw Kiku grow wide-eyed as she walked away, "Hai, I also have papers to finish quickly."
The others laughed as Ludwig groaned in frustration as Alfred clapped his hands together, "Well meeting adjourned."
Everyone slowly shuffled out of the room as they spoke quiet words to one another, finally leaving Cloe and Feli alone. She felt his hands roam up her sides as he flipped her over to face him, his charismatic smile looming over her.
"Since it seems that the others left to fill their own desires, how about we add another round?"
She couldn't help but smile at him as she pulled him down for another deep kiss, just to feel the vibration of his cell going off. Feli let out a frustrates sigh as Chloe chuckled at his serious face.
"Yet again, we're interrupted." She smiled.
He smirked at her as he answered the loud piece, just to see his face change to worry, Italian flying off his tongue.
"Feliciano?" She looked at him in question, "Feli what's wrong?"
"We have to get to the hospital bella." He replied taking her hand.
Chloe didn't argue as they flew out of the home and hurried to the building. She was fretting, knowing it had to be Briana and Lovi was freaking out over the situation. Yet she wasn't far behind him.
Finally, the tall building was in sight as they ran inside, worry filling them both as the maneuvered the halls and staff just to turn a corner and see Lovi pacing the floor.
"Lovino!" She called to him.
"Fratello, what happened?" Feli asked him.
"I don't know." He replied, "one minute she was talking to me and the next she passed out and wasn't breathing. Her heart even stopped at one point as I tried to get her to breathe again. It felt like forever but I got it going when I got here. The doctors and nurses have her now yet I know nothing of what's going on."
Chloe felt the panic rise in her as the thought of her sister filled her head. She just found the woman, she can't lose her now.
"Vargas?" Someone called out.
"Sì?" He replied, turning to the door. "How is she, she ok? Where, where is mia ragazza?"
The woman chuckled at him as she held the door open. In a flash, the man was through the door way as he shouted Briana's name.
Chloe move to look in, just to see her sister being smothered by Lovi as he held her, rocking her and smoothing her hair as sweet Italian left him.
"Ve, what happened?" Feli asked as his arm wrapped around her.
"Sì, yes, what happened?" Lovi demanded.
"Stroke and a heart attack." The woman replied, "Both were the cause of death-"
"How can it be death if she's still here?" Lovi questioned.
"It's not that hard to figure out Lovi." Briana replied, the Irish lost in her voice.
Chloe smiled, knowing the truth as Feli gave a small excited clap and Lovi turned to her wide-eyed.
"Ragazza? Did you... Are you?" He asked her.
"Sì Lovi, I am." She replied.
"Well sis, looks like you beat me to the punch." Chloe joked as she watched the woman get up on shaky legs.
"That I did." Briana said, "It's strange. Knowing that I'm this."
"So question is Briana, what are you?" Feli asked.
"Sicily. Some strange woman told me as I was on the breath."
"So that makes you Rome Chloe." He said looking down at her.
She looked up at him, the smile upon him was as vibrant as ever. Her own smile caressed her face as the looming thought of becoming Rome filled her.
"That I'll be, that I'll be."
Chloe nearly choked on her drink as the girls cracked jokes and spoke up about life and what turns and moments it had for them all. She just couldn't help herself as they started telling embarrassing sex stories.
"You mean to tell me my husband caught you all in the act?" Marie tried to get out as her laughter escaped.
"Sadly yes, he did." Brie said covering her face, "God it was horrible. What made it worse was Francis saying, 'don't mind me, I'm just making another city.' I was never more horrified than that."
"Jesus that's great." Chloe sputtered out as she coughed.
"It's our lives dearie." Juliet said, "Never a dull moment with us."
She couldn't argue. There were so many laughs with this bunch of girls, that she'd never tire nor want to escape them. She loved their company as she heard Jeanne reading to the little ones not far from them, slowly attempting to put them to sleep.
"She's such a good girl." Harper stated.
"Oui, I know." Brie smiled as she watched her daughter.
She looked back over and sighed, letting the sweet view take her in.
"Alright we've tapped enough about our mishaps." Amber stated, "So, rumor has it that Sicily is now upon us."
Gasps echoed the room as Chloe shrugged her shoulders, "First born, first to change."
"How did it happen if you don't mind me asking?" Nora spoke up.
"Heart attack and a stroke. We knew her heart was a little weak after the assault from Genesis and clots were found a lot in her body, so it was just a moment of time."
"Lucky girl." Lily said, sipping her drink as her eyes landed in her boys.
"Guessing everyone had a rough turn huh?"
"You could say that." Marie replied, "Some easier than others."
Chloe nodded at her, wondering how her own change would happen. It was hard to believe in her mind that she would die. That the moment she took her last breath, she wouldn't really be the quirky girl from a pub in Killarney, she'd be a new woman. One that had more purpose that she could have ever believed in.
"Don't worry over it. You'll make yourself sick of it." Nora warned.
"I know, I try to hold my head up for it." She confessed, "It's hard though. Knowing I'm gonna die and come back. There's just this little fear that-"
"And it's normal. No one wants to imagine dying nor want it. Yet for us it's an inevitable." Juliet reminded.
"I know. I know."
"Yes, well. Since the men are out and about with others, I think it is time for little ones to cozy in bed before we all head home." Brie said, rising to her feet.
"True, true." Amber agreed, heading over to her own.
Chloe sat with Harper and Nora as the others gathered their kids for the evening, the sleepy yawns leaving them as they all were shuffled from the large living room. Nora sighed as she attempted to get comfortable as Harper placed her hand upon her belly.
"Little one is sleeping, thank god." she stated, "No more need to pee."
Both laughed at her statements as Chloe gathered their glasses, "Anything else to drink?"
"Water for me, drink anything else and the baby will be wide away all night."
"That cream soda Feli made earlier was good, I'll take another if there is any."
"Water and soda coming up girls." Chloe called as she made her way in the kitchen.
Gathering what was asked, she couldn't help but let her mind wander on the truth. For her to be a capital, she would have to die. Unknown of when or where, but the fact that she had to have it happen still sent chills through her and made her a little sick to her stomach. Death wasn't something she thought much over, nor wanted to really happen to her at such an early age. She always thought she'd be old, surrounded by family as they remembered the good times together before she was no more.
Looking out the window, she tried to calm her mind. Letting the thoughts of Feli and her friends and family grace her mind, mostly anything to... something caught her eye as she saw the olive tree move slightly. She knew the night was clear and crisp, with no wind or cloud in the sky, so what the hell did she see?
"Harper?" she called out, "Nora?"
Silence met her. Something was wrong. Making her way to the living room, she saw the two of them, staring intently out the vast window, as a shadow crossed the way.
"What the hell is that?" she whispered to them.
"Chloe," she heard Harper say, "Get the girls, tell them we're not alone and call the boys. Now!"
A smash of glass broke the intensity as the three of them rocketed up the stairs towards the rooms. Chloe felt pure fear pulse through her as more shatters echoed the home. She could hear the women slamming doors and giving orders to the children behind them as they readied themselves for the assault that was attempting on them.
Chloe found herself at Feli's office as she saw Amber hide Liberty and Lincoln under the wooden desk.
"They're in here, Brie has her's in the guest bedroom as Marie the same. Lily I'm not sure but Juliet has Thomas and Elizabeth in the hall closet." she told her, "Harper and I will stop most them at the stairs as the others guard up here."
"But what can I-"
"You are getting the hell away from here." Amber shouted as they heard Harper and Nora hit the intruders, "You are too valuable."
A thud came to the wall next to them, knocking the pictures off it. Chloe felt Amber shove her to the window, "Go! Now!"
Chloe did as told, making her way down upon the terrace below, just to land in front of two men, "Oh cac."
"There she is!" the one yelled, making a leap for her.
She dodged him as she delivered a low kick to his gut. Taking off down the steps, she knew the boys had old weaponry around the place and a plan hatched in her head. Making her way towards the lower half, she saw the old armor standing tall in place, the long sword in hand. Grabbing hold of the cold metal, she held the heavy piece before her as they made it toward her.
"Alright ya dopey bastards, come get it." she spat, knowing she was in the wrong.
The men charged at her, only for her two swivel around and catch them by their knees, both collapsing in a heap. She darted back for the door, busting her way in as another man came at her. She swiped the blade across his stomach before he realized she had it, his body falling in front of the door. She stood in the middle of the living room, praying she was right in her mind.
"Oi, pricks!" she shouted, "Down here!"
She heard the protest of the women upstairs as she saw a set of people come down the stairs. She bolted out the door, leading them down the large columns of trees and plants of the land, all of them hot on her tail as she weaved and dodged each one she could. A few fell as arrows flew in the wind, knowing Nora's keen eye was wiping them out. She knew the girls were struggling within, to protect their own as her as well, yet the heavy burden knowing that they were fighting for her was too much to bear.
A solid set of arms wrapped around her, catching her off guard. They hoisted her up as they attempted to carry her away. She pulled the hilt of the sword down on the man's head, earning her a moment of quick freedom as she found herself surrounded. Her heart raced as Feli came to her mind and the girl's teachings. Before she realized, she was taking all that was taught into effect. The kicks and blows, to jabs and punches, she managed to free herself as one became irritated. She heard him slew out curses at her as she slashed the sword down on his arm, cursing her dead.
"Want me dead so bad, then do it, fucker." she taunted.
"Sayer, don't be an idiot, Doss will-" but Chloe didn't hear the man finish.
The world seemed to slow as something dripped down her neck, her breathing felt off as her body became ridged. The man next to him was screaming yet no words made sense to her as the one names Sayer wiped a blade clean. She felt herself stagger as her hand came up to her throat, wondering what was dripping, yet pulling it away she realized the situation. She tried to make it back to the house, back to the girls and back to Feli. Anything to get away from them as they all began to scatter like roaches. A light scream filled the air as she finally felt her body give out and collapse to the ground, hoping and praying she would just wake up from the eternal hell.
"House is dark, everyone must be sleeping." he heard Francis say as they approached the home.
"Maybe, but knowing the women they are probably outside talking like usual." Kiku replied.
Feli chuckled as they all spoke lightly of the night and the day's events. He, himself, was quite happy how things with him and Chloe had gone, now that Briana was Sicily it made his heart practically sing as the truth that Chloe would be Rome rang out. He was overjoyed of the fact that he would have a capital of his own, one that he loved as much as the others love their own...coming closer to the house, he felt something. Something off...and dark.
"You alright Feli?" Ivan asked.
"Yea." he replied, shaking his head as they walked up the way, "Must be me."
Ludwig clasped a hand on his shoulder, "Now don't worry. Chloe will be and is just fine. We just have to wait for her to be a capital and then the bullshit with Genesis will all be-"
"VATI!" a terrified scream echoed the night.
"Addie?" Ludwig called out, "Adeline!"
All of them ran for the door as the little girl continued to scream out for Ludwig. He watched as Ivan and Ludwig slammed themselves up against the door, finding it not to budge.
"What the hell is blocking the way?" he heard Ivan grunt out.
The others ran around to the lower basement and terrace as panic rose in Feli. Picking up the potted plant, he chucked it at the window near the door, shattering the frame as he climbed in, ignoring the pain hitting his hands. Turning to the door, he found a pile of bloodied bodies lying there, making a makeshift blockade.
"Mein Gott." he heard Ludwig and Ivan enter behind him.
The screams of the children broke their glances. Both men left his side as his own eyes searched for Chloe. He heard them all calling out for their capitals and cities, some finding them and others still looking.
"Harper!"
Looking towards the art room, he saw the small woman strike a man and ram a sword through his chest. Her pants echoed the small hall as Kiku came up to her, whispering lightly to her as he tried to pry her fingers off the piece.
Shouts of daddies and papas filled the home as he maneuvered around the place, praying to catch a glimpse of the flaming locks of his girl. Yet every room he found was empty. No Chloe. Nothing. He was becoming panicked as it grew deeper in his head that Genesis broke into his home, hurting the capitals and cities within and his own missing from the large place.
He turned the hall to see Arthur kneeling on the floor as he held his two little ones tightly in his grasp, Juliet coming up to him and wrapping her arms around him as well. He saw Ludwig standing over a limp body as Marie cradled their two to her chest, visible defense marks upon her arms. Amber called out for Alfred and Jeanne shouted for her mother to watch out. There was nothing but total chaos before him and he wasn't even sure what to do.
"Juliet!" he heard Yao yell.
The woman darted for the room he hollered from as he tried to gather his own wits. A gentle hand laid upon his shoulder. Looking back, he saw Lily, her eyes deep with worry.
"Amber told her to escape outside. Yet she didn't listen." he felt his heart drop as she spoke, "She was last out in the garden-"
He didn't give her a chance to finish as his feet carried him to the garden. He knew those rows well, knew how to move and search through them with ease, but his mind was fogged with terror as he saw dark stains upon the grass in the full moonlight.
"No." he whispered, just to have him finally panic, "Chloe?! Chloe, where are you?"
He kept moving, kept looking. Praying she was here. Praying that Genesis didn't take her, that she was just fine and waiting for him, scared and unsure of what to do like he would have. A small bubbling sound caught his ears. He made his way to see a trail of blood leading toward the house, like it dragged itself to only stop...his mind couldn't register what he was looking at. He knew what it was yet couldn't believe it.
"No, per favore Dio no." he let out as he knelt next to the body.
He couldn't. Didn't want to. Yet there she was, her locks stained in blood as her eyes were close, a light bubbly sound emitting from the massive gash upon her throat. He gathered her in his arms, praying it was a nightmare that he was in. But the fading breath of his love was his smack to reality as she laid limp in his arms.
"No, no, no! No, mia bella, no. Ritorno. Per favore non lasciarmi. Ti amo troppo, per favore non andare! Chloe please don't leave me. I didn't get to say how much I love you, please don't go! Chloe!" he sobbed against her.
The chilled night sky felt like it was looking down upon him, laughing at his misery as he felt her so close. He was too late. He wasn't strong enough. He knew it and now this was the proof. He wasn't meant for this. How could he have protected someone he loved so dearly when he wasn't even strong enough to protect himself? He pulled her closer to him, feeling her still body as he prayed that her heart would beat. Yet he knew.
He sobbed against her, there was nothing else to do but mourn for her. For what they had and what he felt would never happen again. He heard his grandfather in his head as Lovino and Briana came to thought as well...just to feel a pain of once still arms wrap around him in a tight embrace.
"Ti amo Feli."