((Sorry if this chapter is kinda short. I'm moving out soon and have been a bit busy. I hope to get some feedback or suggestions for other pairings. (I'm thinking about a UsUk or something) Writing this for you guys has been the most fun I've had in a long time and I hope you guys really like it. I do it for you guys; the story would have stayed at the first chapter without you guys. I wish you happy reading!
I'd like to announce that I will be doing commissions! Not just Hetalia or anime. Ask for details on Skype: benistarke ))
Ludwig traveled on, alone as always, toward the sea. He didn't know what he would find there but, he thought it was the right thing to do. Feli would have called it a hunch. He walked on, weighted down by not only his pack but by a dark hole in his heart. He ignored it, it didn't hurt much now, it just felt heavy. It had appeared and only gotten heavier with time. He didn't know how to rid himself of it nor how to live without it. The truly troubling thing was that with every step he took, every breath he drew, it seemed to get a little heavier. The more he thought about it the more it seemed to weigh down on him greatly as if mere thought doubled its weight.
Attempting to distract himself he returned to Matthew's cabin again, maybe it could lessen the burden. Days had passed since Matthew had left to aid his country, Ludwig, Alfred and Feliciano stayed in the small mountain cabin, wasting each day away with silly things. Nothing occupied their time more than watching the news; it seemed like Alfred's whole country had fallen into a state of chaos. The president had died and various officials had been disappearing, the whole of his fragile government had been breaking up slowly. No one within the country has seen such confused chaos, such naked power grabs, and such open power abuse since the days of the American Civil war.
Alfred showed his country's strife in his face. His face was pale and sweaty with fever, his limbs grew weak and when he tried to do anything they began to shake violently.
Feliciano watched him almost constantly, and said often that they should take him to a hospital. Ludwig had retorted, "What can they do for him? He is immortal and won't heal unless his country does." His mood had worsened since Alfred had been taken ill; it reminded him far too much of himself and Feli after the war. Both had looked like the walking dead, and only improved as their countries slowly did. Feliciano fell quiet after this, he knew what pain it was to be like this, he had felt it himself, every time his land had gone to war in it's long history.
They stayed like this for weeks, Alfred getting worse and worse as the days went on and the other two helpless to do anything but keep him as comfortable as possible until Mattie could return. They knew he couldn't die unless his country completely descended into chaos and nothing was left of it besides the land. As long as there was some people left he would continue to exist but in a horrible state. Nothing could be done to help him but the rebuilding of his country.
Mathew had finally returned, two weeks after he had left, and told them that his country seemed to be safe, the winter had set in and it was slowly becoming colder and colder. "Th-the southernmost areas that share a border with you, Alfred, are what we are worried about. Your people are coming in droves and bringing the infection with them." he said, quietly to the still ailing man that had now taken over his bed and his room. The smell of sickness had seeped into the room and would not come out, no matter how long they left the windows open or burnt pine needles from around Matthew's home.
Matthew seemed to the most affected by this, he and Alfred had grown up as brothers. He was beside his bed the whole time and looked as if he was going to break down every time that he looked at him. Matthew grew quieter and quieter as the days rolled on and Alfred began to hallucinate; he didn't know any of them. matthew broke down in tears when Alfred looked him straight in the eye and said, "Who are you?" It seemed to hurt him more than anything, Ludwig still remembered the look in his eyes when Alfred had spoke. It still haunted him.
Ludwig sat beside the river that had now become his pathway and thought thoughts as swift as the water's flow. One right after another they assailed him, dragging him down lower and lower until Ludwig felt he was sitting in the dark earth, already dead and buried. He stayed in the cold earth, wanting for comfort and light while nothing came to save him. His heart stayed buried beneath the dirt, away from the light of day and away from where he could hurt it again. He buried it deeper within himself but the light that had been Feliciano kept showing his heart what it had missed out on in the months since they had parted ways.
It taught him that no matter how deep you decided to hide, nothing could save you from yourself.
((~Doitsu))