The moment you've all been waiting for…chapter 8! Actually, this was the moment I was waiting for. The reason why I wrote it before seven was because I was so excited to write it. And trust me, this one has got to be my favorite so far…because I my entire cabin was wondering why exactly I was squealing to so much when I was writing it (And obviously I couldn't show them, because 1: It's a Christian camp, what do you expect? 2: …They would have all thought I was crazy…) XD. The first part I completely improved, so that part was HARD to come up with. And it's kind of historically inaccurate, so...yeah...Enjoy and R&R! :D
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Axis Powers: Hetalia.
I could only stare down in pure, utter shock at the box that lay in front of, my jaw to the floor and blue eyes wide.
"I-I'm Holy Rome…" I said in a mere whisper, gently pulling out that small black hat I had worn so long ago. "I-I'm Holy Rome…"
My breathing had gone short and I felt my hands go shaky with shock. This…this whole thing…it was just so unreal…Yet as I had finally gotten my senses back, it had suddenly occurred to me why exactly I had never known about any of this. Gilbert had apparently kept it a secret.
"GILBERT~!" I yelled, clutching onto the hat. "I NEED TO SEE YOU FOR A MINUTE!"
Not a second later did Gilbert come striding into the room, a cautious smirk plastered onto his face. It had been as if he'd been listening the entire time…
"Yo, West, you all calmed down now? You aren't going to kill me, are you? Pfft, I'm too awesome to be killed anyway!" He asked boldly, leaning against the side of the wall in pride.
I rolled my eyes at his arrogance, shaking my head and shifting my eyes back to the fragile memento in my hand. "No. It's just…what's this old hat doing in my closet? I mean, it does say it's mine." I told him, waving it in front of him to give him a better look.
Crimson eyes went wide as the albino stared down at it in what seemed like awe, almost surprised you could say that I'd finally found it. "Well, yeah, it is yours West; you wore it all the time when you were a little kid. I couldn't get you to take that hat or cloak off even if it killed me!"
"Yes, I'm…aware that it is mine now, but…I don't remember wearing anything close to this when I was younger. Actually…I hardly remember anything of my past…"
Gilbert snickered quietly, talking a few steps closer to me to observe the small clothing. "Well that's weird, because it's defiantly yours! Look, I even remember writing "Ludwig Beilschimdt" on the back of it! Kesesese~, everything's probably all foggy to you; you think way too much!"
Sighing, I took the small push-broom I had found before in my hands, realizing that he either wasn't getting the point, or just wasn't getting to the point. "That's not the point, Gilbert; take a look at this push-broom that was also by the box. Read what's written on it; it's defiantly neither of ours, because I know what yours and mine look like. That's…that's Feliciano's handwriting…" I handed him the push-broom, knowing I'd never get the end of it when he figured out that not only was I in love with the Italian, but he was with me as well.
As my older brother looked it over, scanning the messing writing carefully, his eyes immediately went wide with shock, and he dropped the broom to the ground with his mouth horrified and agape.
"Wait a minute…if that…then that means…YOU were that guy FELI was always talking about at school? If that's the case then…Pfft, KESESESESESE~, WEST; YOU AND THAT LITTLE ITALIAN REALLY ARE A COUPLE, HAHAHA! Oh man, I saw this coming, I totally saw this coming! My awesome senses knew it was him, hahaha!" He laughed, snorting obnoxiously as he banged his hand against the wall, clutching onto his stomach while coughing hoarsely.
My cheeks went warm with embarrassment at that, flushing pink as I glared at him. "It's not funny, Gilbert! This is insane; and we were never lovers in the first place! We…Feliciano and I aren't even friends anymore…I told him so not even ten minutes ago…"
Apparently he'd completely ignored everything I had just said, as his he continued to break down into fits of laughter, with his face going light purple from lack of oxygen. "Oh man, West, this is hilarious~! I knew there was something about that name I recognized. Jeez, I can't believe I didn't see it earlier; you wouldn't shut up about him when I first found you!"
My eyes went wide at his words, a wave of confusion washing over me as they process through my mind. When he found me?!
Gilbert, realizing exactly what he had admitted on accident, immediately clamped his hand over his mouth, his pale skin draining even paler with his blood-red eyes growing in size. "Uh, da…YOU HEARD NOTHING!" He stuttered, and I got to my feet with both hands on my hips as I began to move closer to him.
"Gilbert…what are you talking about~; what do you mean 'when you found me'?" I asked him, towering over him to increase the intimidation to get him to spill. Although a year apart, Gilbert was about 3 inches shorter than me, which gave me a high advantage over him when I need to be superior. Besides, I was much more frightening than him in the first place.
The latter began to stumble backwards, attempting to reach the handle of the door before I could lock my hand on it. I watched as a ball of sweat dripped down from his silvery hair, slithering down his neck, and he began to grow more and more nervous.
"J-Just forget I said anything, Ludwig!" He said, trying to release my grip on the handle so he could escape.
My name. It was something I rarely ever heard coming out of my older brother's mouth. This was serious now…
"Gilbert…what are you hiding from me?" I asked again, my icy eyes cold and penetrating as he tried to avert his eyes from their steel gaze.
Gilbert swallowed hard, his forehead growing moist with perspiration and his crimson eyes growing dangerously afraid as if they were to say "I'm screwed". What could possibly be so bad that was making Gilbert of all people this unwilling to speak?
"I-It's nothing; seriously! Now go make o-…up with your little boyfriend already!"
That was the last straw. I slammed my palm against the wall, pinning the squeaking teen against it as he tried to escape the immensely grip that surrounded him. My eyes went frigid with dark rage and curiosity, and my brow furrowed as I looked him dead in the eye with a sense of seriousness I thought I'd never meet.
"Gilbert…What. Are. You. Hiding?" I mumbled sternly, locking him from moving.
Finally realizing all hope was lost in attempting to escape, Gilbert came to his senses and sighed in defeat, lowering his head with his light bangs falling over his eyes. "Dammit…I knew I'd have to tell you sooner or later."
Taking in one last gulp of air, he continued, going into the story I'd been oblivious to for nine years, and thought would never be brought up ever in my entire lifetime. "West…There's something…I never told you…"
I released him, crossing my arms and raising a brow. "I'm listenting…"
"Well…It's just that…We found you. Well, technically it was me who found you, because I was the one there at the time. Anyway, I found you lying on the ground unconscious one day cut up pretty badly about nine years ago, and you apparently had no memory of anything that had happened before. I figured that since it was by the Berlin border, that you were living somewhere in there before when the riots and fights started. All you would say was "Feliciano" repetitively until I finally snapped you out of it and made you start saying something other than that little Italian dude's name. It didn't look like you had any parents, since nobody had claimed a missing child at the time and you couldn't remember anything, so we just kind of…took you in…"
He sighed once more. "The point is, West, that you're adopted. We, the Beilschmidt's, adopted you into our family and convinced you that you really were biological to us. After all, you do look like Dad a lot! Kesesesesese~!"
At that, my mouth went agape, blue eyes growing wide in shock. I had a feeling there was something going on like this, but never had I suspected it to turn out something quite like…this!
"BRUDER! Why didn't you ever TELL ME?" I yelled, involuntarily sounding more angry than I wanted to. Then again, I could feel the hot anger bubbling below my body at the thought of the albino keeping such a secret hidden from me for half my life.
The latter moved away, cowering slightly as he tried to escape the wrath of my rising rage. "Gah; I'm sorry, West! We didn't tell you because we knew how angry you'd get, and we all know how bad your temper is with everything!" He cried, bracing for impact as his little yellow chick he called Gilbird circled around in head contently.
As bitter as I was at the moment, it wasn't the only thing I was in awe about. Putting together the pieces of the puzzle, I realized that everything Feliciano had said, everything Mr. Germania said, and everything all of the others said was completely, and in some strange way, connected to my unknown past that had vanished the night Gilbert found me.
With my anger settling, my eyes grew wide once more. "Gilbert…Mr. Germania said something about him having a grandson just like me, who even knew a little Italian boy with my same name…Do you…know what this means?" I asked him in nearly a whisper.
Gilbert tipped his head to the side, processing everything through that thick skull of his before finally realizing exactly what I meant by that. A wide grin spread across his face, and like mine, his eyes began to grow. "Wait…so that means…Ah, sweet, our English teacher is our freaking awesome grandpa! Yes; easy A for the rest of the year!" He beamed, celebrating to himself as Gilbird gave him a confused look.
I rolled me eyes, facepalming at his childness, although I had to admit I was fairly excited myself. No wonder the teacher had been so kind these past weeks!
"Bruder, that's not the point. The point is that not only is Mr. Germania our grandfather, but also…Feliciano and I are…lost lovers…A-And everything is starting to make sense now; it's all coming back! I said goodbye to him, and then I got pulled into one of the riots happening on the streets and got knocked unconscious! Yes; that's the only explanation for it!"
My brother only chuckled, crossing his arms with a satisfied smirk glued to his face. "Well West, just remember; it was the awesome me who told you all this stuff in the first place, and that I was completely right. And now, you're remembering all of those crappy memories you've got shoved up into your head!"
With that, he walked out the room with a smile on his face and Gilbird trailing behind him, yet I was in too much utter joy and shock to even notice or care about what he had said to me.
With even more memories flooding back now, it occurred to me that I wasn't the only oblivious one in this situation. Feliciano had told me he was still in love with Holy Rome…which technically meant he was in love with me. Yet he just didn't know it yet.
I couldn't help the small grin that tugged on my lips and slowly creped across my face as I gazed down at it longer. This only thing; this whole predicament…It was just so amazing and unreal! The teen I was in love with, Feliciano Vargas, was the one I had loved so dearly and much so long ago…
"I am…Holy Roman Empire…" I repeated, never taking me eyes off of the push-broom that lay rested against the side of the wall. "Feliciano's…Holy Roman Empire…"
Just then, the faint sound of a ringing doorbell came from downstairs, and I froze immediately at what I was doing. After a couple more seconds of silence, I heard it again, realizing under all of my euphoria and bliss that this person was no pranker, as the third ring brought me to know this person had to have persistent for a reason. Yet why were they out so late at night?
I set my belongings gently on the floor, stumbling quickly down the stairs and calling out to Gilbert that I would get it. There was no response, nor was he lounging on the couch like he normally would. Huh…a private invitation was about to take place…
I opened that front door cautiously, not knowing that with my elder brother being so quiet all of a sudden if this was just a prank or the real thing at such a late hour in the night. Yet to my surprise, with wide eyes nervous stood a teary Feliciano, tear stains running down his cheeks with those sweet chocolate eyes that I adored so much overflowing with pure, utter sorrow.
Now why would he of all people be standing at my door in the middle of the night crying like that?
I watched as fresh tears welled up in the corner of his eyes, his bottom lip quivering and shaking violently. There had to be a reason for this; especially since he was here at my house. And it almost made me feel…guilty…
"H-Hi Ludwig. Sorry it's so late outside, b-but I just wanted to give you back the flower you gave me last week. I don't want it anymore…" He said shakily, shoving the withered summer blossom in my face as tears spilt through his squeezed eyes, and he clenched his teeth to prevent from sobbing.
Sharp pain shot through my body at that, not even know the Italian would have the guts or will to do something like that. Yet it seemed as though he wasn't too thrilled about it, either.
Between that, though, all I could do was smile as I watched him. In fact, I had hardly realized I had been grinning like an idiot that entire time I had been standing at the door!
I am Holy Roman Empire. I thought contently as I gently held the fragile flower in my hand. I am his long-lost love.
Feliciano looked up at me, letting out a quiet sniffle as I gazed down at him as well. Once again, I found, myself falling into those beautiful, dark pools of brown as soft moonlight danced around us; hypnotized for they were so stunning in the stars. It was now or never.
"Ludwig…w-why are you smiling?" He asked, a bewildered expression spreading across his face that almost seemed hurt.
I could take it no longer. This agony of overjoy and temptation had slowly taken over my body, and now I was about to lose it. For I was the one with the true answer to what happened to Holy Roman Empire, and why he had disappeared. I was him.
Those eyes were slowly taking over me; mesmerizing with a deep hue of brown that I had never experienced before since I had first met him. Although this time, they felt almost special in the private dim light, glistening with tears in the pitch moonlight with a bright beauty that seemed to make me falter. I had to do this now.
I cupped my hands to his cheeks, wiping away the stray tears that escaped from the Italians eyes and streamed down his cheek. Light scarlet fell onto his face, a strike of confusion falling over him.
I am his guardian.
"Feliciano…you have very pretty eyes…" I whispered almost inaudibly, brushing away another tear that had fallen.
With that, as he squeaked out my name one last time, I finally leaned down and pressed my lips gently against his.
"W-What was that for?" Feliciano stuttered as we broke apart, his eyes fluttering open and his cheeks stained a thousand shades of dark crimson. His expression was a look of sorry; confusion at that, and just didn't know what exactly was going on.
I only continued to smile, a wave of relief and triumph washing over me at the fact that I had finally gathered up the courage to finally kiss him.
"Feliciano…I…I'm Holy Roman Empire! I'm you're long-lost love!" I exclaimed, chuckling a little bit with excitement as I was getting close to near-hysteric.
The Italian shook his head, shock and sadness find it's face into the mix of confusion and blush. "N-No you're not. You're…You're Ludwig; Ludwig Beilschimdt!"
This time, it was my turn to shake my head, still smiling hard. Violently… "Y-You don't understand, Feliciano; I am Holy Rome! Gilbert told me everything; I lost all my memory as a child during one of the riots going on in Berlin. He found me, adopted me, and took me in with his parents; even Mr. Germania said he was almost positive his grandson's name was Ludwig, and he loved a little Italian boy! This means our English teacher is my grandfather, and we're lost lovers! And now…I'm here. I've found you." I explained, clutching onto his hands now as almost everything I had just said seemed almost unfathomable to comprehend.
Feliciano stepped back, angry tears streaming down his face was he was confused. "N-No you're not; s-stop lying to me, Ludwig! He wasn't like you! He didn't hurt his friends!" He squeaked out, placing shaky hands in front of his face.
Those words hit me hard. It wasn't like I…wanted to do it…It was more of that I had to do it…for the sake and safety of myself before I completely lost it and every barrier I had tried to hold up had crumbled. Then again, I had completely forgotten the sensitivity and hurt that would be in the Italian's reaction…
Before the latter could move back any further, I gripped onto his arm and pulled him towards me, placing my hand on his face as hot blush tinged the tip of my ears. He tried to break lose, just as Gilbert had done before, yet had no luck with me hand held so tightly onto his petite arm. There was only one way to convince him…yet I never thought I'd actually say it now.
"Feliciano…I-I love you, and I wouldn't lie to you ever. Please believe me; I'm telling you the truth! I-I even have the push-broom you gave me before I left, and it had your name carved into it! Don't you get it; we're lovers! We can actually be together now!" I cried, leaning in to swiftly kiss him once again.
Before our lips could touch, he pushed me away, stumbling to the ground shakily with a thud as he huffed with anger and hot tears spilled down his face. I'd never seen him so…angry…
"No, Ludwig! Get away from me; I never want to see you again! You hurt me; and I don't think I'll ever, ever, forgive you for it!" He got to his feet, beginning to stumble away as I tried to reason with him.
"Feli…-"
"Screw off!"
With that, he retreated into the night, sprinting towards his house as his light jacket trailed behind him, and I heard the soft sobs that had escaped from his mouth in the process.
At that, as I watched him disappeared, boiling rage began to bubble below my skin, dangerously close to popping as my eye began to twitch. My fists formed into tight balls, squeezing against my skin as I shut my eyes
My first and only love, gone for the second time over. This time, never coming back.
Upon realization of this, I stormed back into the house, slamming the door shut as glass from the upper shelves shattered from the impacted and sprinkled around me feet. Gilbert immediately came barreling down the staircase, his jaw falling to the floor at the sight of the broken glass.
"Whoa, West, what the hell did you do?" He yelled, cautiously stepping over the shades that lay scattered around the floor as he made his way towards me. Yet his eyes went wide once more as he saw me furious expression. "Hey, West…you okay?"
The teen waved his hand in front of my face, poking me persistently as he tried to get me to speak. It only aggravated me more, though, and when I could no longer take him, every sense and control in my body had finally snapped, and I grabbed hold of his neck and pinned him against the wall.
"Do you honestly think I'm okay, Gilbert? Do you think everything is fine when I find out the guy I'm in love with hates me. DO YOU SERIOUSLY THINK I'M OK?" I hissed, cobalt flames spurting out from my eyes as I bared me teeth.
Gilbert gasped for air, choking as he desperately pleaded for oxygen. "N-No…I-It' not ok…" He coughed, his face slowly going purple as my grip grew stronger on his neck out of the uncontrollable rage that was pouring out from me.
I released him, a look of horror falling onto my face as he slid to the ground in a fit of coughs. My brother…my own brother…I was on the brink of destruction with him. Just one more minute of holding him against that wall with no air to help support him would have probably killed him…
"G-Gilbert…I-I'm so sorry…" I whispered, retreating up the stairs before I could do any more harm to him. My anger over Feliciano wasn't worth losing a brother that meant so much to me.
"W-West…Ludwig, wait!"
Yet before he could go after to me, I slammed the door of my room shut, sliding to the floor against it as I buried my face into my knees. And for the first time in nine years, I had cried.
Jeez, what is up with me and this connection fetish lately? And are you guys noticing that pattern of how much I love describing eyes? :) Yeah, it's kind of a habit...I'm sorry...So, kind of OOCness in this chapter, I'm sorry, and the "riots in Berlin" thing I randomly came up with, and has NOTHING to do with the riots in England. Just remember, I've had this idea in my head since April or May, so it was long before any of that even started. I almost made it Munich, but I figured Berlin would have been at least SOMEWHAT historically accurate...And why did I almost pick Munich over all of the cities in Germany? Because I'm a Fullmetal Alchemist nerd...that's why…
Anyway, I'm really sorry for the delay on this! I had to get all of my stuff for the anime con I went to the other day, and I've been focusing on school work. But GOSH this chapter was so much fun to write! I never knew how much fun it is to write Prussia until now…Like, this thing is supposed to be a freaking drama/romance, but he makes it all the more funny! :D I especially enjoyed writing the kiss~. :) (Pfft, obviously! Hardcore GerIta fan right here!)
Yeah, so, there are only 1-2 chapters left in this, and I'm sad yet happy I'm finishing it. Sad, because I've REALLY had fun writing it, and happy, because I have THIRTEEN MORE CHAPTERS LEFT IN RUNAWAY HOME, DANG IT! D: So…review please~! Reviews are amazing people~! :D Oh, and for all those who want to know…"Feliciano…you have very pretty eyes…" is my favorite line in the entire story. :)