Tell Me A Story
Chapter 5: Five Months
Couples: PruCan, FrUk, and GerIta
A/n: It seems like every time I check my email, there is a new notification! I just love that~!
~~~ (Canada's P.O.V.)
"Why are we here, Gil?" I asked softly when we parked. There was a small park was ahead of us. Just a simple park where you walk around, and occasionally find a bench to rest on, or a tree for shade. Gil shrugged. Once we got out of the car he dragged me to the asphalt walking path.
"I come here whenever I need to think things through," he mumbled softly.
"What do you need to think through?" I asked softly. I looked down at the broken asphalt. It was chipped, and various plants were intercepting it.
"Nothing. I just wanted to bring you here," he said with a smile. "It's so awesome, isn't it?" I grinned at him.
"Sure." I held his hand as we walked. It was mostly silent besides his humming under his breath. It wasn't loud enough, or maybe I just didn't know the song in order to identify it.
"Gil, how do you live without your country?" I asked randomly. He stopped dead in his tracks. His vision was at his feet.
"I won't for long," he whispered.
"What do you mean?"
"Rome didn't die the second his country vanished. He stayed for a while, then he died," he explained.
"So you mean that you're dying?" I asked softly.
"I'm close to it." I felt my heart drop. I quickly pulled him in for a hug, and he hugged me back tightly. He embraced death so openly, because his own brother made him feel worthless.
"I'm sorry, Gil."
"Don't be. Before I knew I was dying, but I didn't have anything to live for, and now," Gil paused. "I'm so confused about what I'm feeling myself."
"How bad is it?" I asked softly.
"I think less than half a year," he said. He didn't seem to be crying, but he was still holding me closely.
"Only that long?" Gil's hold on me tightened, and I knew that was a yes.
"I'm mortal now."
"Don't talk like that."
"But it's true birdie. I'm dying. I'm practically dead. I wish I was dead."
"No, you don't Gil. You put up this tough cover to hide the fact that you're scared and you don't know what's next," I said bitterly, and found a way out of the hug. "Hiding it won't change anything."
"Nor will showing it," Gil retorted sitting on a bench.
"You're wrong. People can make you feel like you matter, so you aren't on your death bed regretting ever existing. Pain is sometimes a good thing. It means that you've once felt a time without pain to feel that pain." I sat next to him.
"I don't need to be happy."
"Gil, shut up." I placed a gentle hand on the back of his neck and pulled him in for a kiss,
"You're so cute when you're angry," he said after I'd pulled away and rested a head on his shoulder.
"Shush," I warned, as he wrapped an arm around me and pulled me closer.
"You're so awesome," he whispered softly.
"I know. You're awesome, too."
"Ja," he whispered, and I could hear the smile in his voice. After a while of just sitting there, we got up and continued to walk again. We had idle chit chat, but nothing note-worthy.
~~~ (Third P.O.V.)
Five months pass in a blur when you're trying to live life to the fullest. From the point where they woke up, 'till the point where they went to bed, the pair were constantly going. Countless dates, countless tours to new places. They'd gone almost everywhere in the world; and nothing stopped them. It was a wonderful chance for Canada to establish new treaties and a chance for Gilbert to do anything he's ever wanted without having to worry about economics. Canada was scared for what was next.
Even though the pair had gone so many places, there was still much to see. But reality crashed down on them when the albino woke up one morning in immense pain. It was a very blurry trip to the hospital for the emotional Canadian. He knew it was coming.
"Matthew Williams?" a nurse asked into the near deserted waiting room. At first she couldn't see him, and Matthew expected that. Matthew was led down what seemed like a million halls. The maze seemed never ending. He stared blankly ahead. He knew already; no use in telling him anymore. He finally got there. The dying ex-nation laid motionless on the cot. His eyes were glassy. He didn't flinch when Matthew entered the room.
The blond took one of the seats next to the metal cot. He looked at the albino, fighting tears.
"Hey Gil," he whispered, softly taking one of his hands. Gilbert looked at him slowly. He managed a weak smile.
"Hey Birdie? How are you?" the dying man asked.
"I don't know, Gil," he whispered as if anything louder might break the man.
"Don't be sad. I've had a lot of fun knowing you, Birdie." Matthew smiled at him.
"It's been a lot of fun knowing you, too."
"Don't act like you're saying goodbye," Gilbert whispered to the emotional man.
"But it is goodbye."
"No, it's not." Gilbert was pleading with the smaller man at this point. "Don't think of it like that, birdie." The blond nodded.
"I love you, Gilbert," he whispered. Gilbert smiled at this. The first time he'd said it to him. Gilbert had told Matthew he loved him countless times, only for Matthew to brush it aside. "I love you so much," Matthew choked out, letting the tears fall.
"Promise me you'll be happy," Gilbert whispered. His breathing was getting more ragged, and his vision was fading.
"I promise."
"You better," the albino whispered. "I love you, too." It was quiet for a second. It all took way too long to process. The flat line, the lack of movement. Matthew shakily stood up, closing his the Prussian's eyelids. He kissed his forehead softly. Matthew couldn't look at him any longer. He squeezed his eyes shut, and hastily walked out of the hospital room. He was rushing to leave this damned hospital. To do anything; except stay here. He ran into Francis in the waiting room. He jumped up and hugged the nation who was currently breaking apart inside.
"Oh, Matthew. Please don't cry," he whispered. Matthew struggled against him.
"What do you know? You can't even see me half the time!" Matthew screamed at the unsuspecting nation, he shoved the man off of him. "I'm something of a ghost to you. You only address me when I feel like an absolute lost cause. Just admit it; you want me gone. You wouldn't care if I was gone anyways!" The hurt instantly registered on Francis' face. Matthew regretted what he said; but he wouldn't take it back. He shoved past the man, and walked outside into the sunlight. Then Matthew ran. He didn't care where, just anywhere. The tears were still streaming, but he ignored them.
He came across a field that seemed too painfully familiar. He let himself fall to his knees, and finally sob. He heard someone running to him, but he didn't care. He let out a wretched cry, and began to sing
"I watch the city burn.
These dreams like ashes float away
Your voice I never heard
Only silence." The song was all too familiar to the Canadian. Prussia constantly listened to it during long car rides. He had always guessed Prussia didn't actually relate to the lyrics, but instead liked the theory. Or maybe Prussia had been in love before. Matthew didn't know; or care at this moment in time.
"Where were you when our hearts were bleeding
Where were you when it all crashed down
Never thought that you'd deceive me
Where are you now?
How long can you stand the pain
How long will you hide your face
How long will you be afraid
Are you afraid
How long will you play this game
Will you fight or will you walk away
How long will you let it burn
Let it burn
Let it burn." At this point arms were wrapped around him from behind, trying to soothe him. Matthew fought against them. Once he ripped apart, he saw his twin there. This made his singing sound even more painful and tear filled. He tore through the verses, not even looking at anything because he was too hurt right now.
"Will you stand when it all burns down
Will you love when it all burns down
Will it end when it all burns down
Will you just let it all burns down?" Matthew was pulled into another hug from Francis. He didn't fight back, or hug the Frenchman. He finished the last verse with a shaky voice. The tears were stopping, turning into a case of hiccups.
Soon enough, he was home. He was first put in his bed, but he could still smell Gilbert there; which caused more tears. He was moved to the couch after that. His papa sternly told him not to move. Alfred, Arthur, and Francis were gathered in the dining room, discussing everything and anything to do with the Canadian. As if the very subject of their conversation couldn't hear their arguing over whose fault it was for forgetting him so often.
A/n: It's not over yet, guys! I think there may be several more chapters. Next chapter will be filled with memories from the five months I skipped. I just wasn't very happy as I wrote this, and I knew it was going to end this way anyways. There is still more to come!