Trying to get as many chapters out for you guys as I can - I'm on a roll thus far!

Hopefully will get the next one up soon as well.

This next one will be . . . interesting :3

(Also "Willem" is Netherlands.)

Enjoy!~

Hetalia (c) Hima

Don't Lean On Me (c) Bringmemisery

Chapter 21 – Ein anderer Tag, eine andere. . .

Gil picked up a few dishes on the tray beside him and made his way over to the kitchen in the back of the café.

It felt awesome to get back to work again – he was going crazy back home.

Two days of nothing was too much!

He'd managed to read all the books in his house; what more was there to do?

He went into the kitchen and placed the dishes down on the counter. There he noticed Willem stand in front of the sink vigorously scrubbing at the dish in his hand.

"Bro," Gil smiled, "it's not alive. No need to kill it."

Willem looked up from this dish, "I'm scrubbing it."

"You're torturing it," Gil put his hand on his hip, "be nicer with it. Just imagine you're bathing your sister – would you scrub that much?"

Willem returned a look that was mixed with what looked like confusion and concern.

"She's a grown woman," Willem placed the dish down, "why would I bathe her?"

Gil chuckled, "Never mind, bro. Right over your head."

With a quick turn Gil made his way back out the door and into the main café. As he walked by one of the registers he noticed Matthias smiling like an idiot with a paper in his hand. Of course curiosity won, so Gil approached the Dane.

"Whatcha got there, Bro?" Gil grinned.

Matthias looked up and his face flushed, "Nothin'."

"Let me see," Gil reached for the papers.

"Harassment," Matthias laughed as he pulled the paper away, "I'm gonna report you!"

"Don't be like that," Gil snorted, "Seriously, you're smiling like a teenage girl with a crush on an upperclassmen!"

"Maybe that's my true self," Matthias beamed, "Inside this body is a little girl begging to escape."

"Mein gott, free her!" Gil said and the two of them started to laugh.

After a few moment Matthias handed him the paper, "Read this and tell me what you think."

Gil took the paper and noticed that it was a note written directly to . . . the Lego King?

He looked up and Matthias motioned him to keep reading.

Gil returned back to the paper and read aloud, "To the Lego King with the golden—"

"SHHHHH!" Matthias tried to cover Gil's mouth, "Not out loud!"

Gil laughed as he continued, this time in his head:

To the Lego King with the Golden hair,

There is not a day that passes that I do not realize the sudden pull I have towards you. Your every action plays before me like a scene on repeat. In my dreams I see your soft eyes gently meet mine, and your warm smile welcomes me home.

What the hell is this?

In times when I am alone, I solely think of you and I feel at one in your presence. Though the distance kills me slowly, I know that the wait will bring you to me once more. How much longer this wait remains I leave up to you, but have you know that I wish that the joining of us someday will bring peace to us both.

Until we meet again,

Sunny Snowman

Gil glanced up and Matthias' face was brighter than ever.

"Bro," Gil scratched his neck, "what the hell did you make me read? Feel like I'm gonna throw up."

"Don't be like that," Matthias smiled as he took the paper from Gil's hands, "Isn't it cute though?"

"Not really . . . kinda corny if you ask me."

"Gil," Matthias whined, "you really didn't like it?"

"Bro, I'm not into that sappy stuff. If you are, that's fine . . . hey, but who wrote this anyways? "

"My Sunny Snowman," Matthias held the paper against his chest.

"Who?" Gil rose an eyebrow.

"You'll probably laugh if I say," Matthias folded the paper and put it into his pocket.

"Don't start that. You know when I get curious I'm stuck thinking about it until I figure it out."

Matthias laughed, "Fine, you have a point. Here, I'll give you a few hints. You personally know him. He has sisters. He's very tall – taller than me even! He really has this cute fascination over Sunflo—"

"No," Gil pulled his arm, "No, Ivan is bad news."

"No, he isn't."

"Yes, he is. The guys been trying to land me in the grave since day one!"

"That's only because you used to pick on him," Matthias stuck out his tongue.

"You did too," Gil tried to pull his tongue but missed, so instead pulled his nose.

"Gil!" Matthias yanked Gil's fingers away, "I'm being serious!"

"So am I. Bro, seriously? Ivan? Of all people."

"Well, he's a nice guy and he hasn't done any wrong to me."

"Have you told your family about this?"

Matthias remained silent for a moment, ". . . you're the only one I've told?"

"Matt! You need to tell them, not me!"

"But I couldn't help it!" Matthias' face grew even redder, "You're the only one I know that can help me out here! They're going to freak out!"

"I'm freaking out," Gil scratched his neck, "Are you really serious about this?"

"Yes, I am," Matthias pouted, "Please be on my side just this once! I think this will work out!"

"Why are you telling me this? Your family should be the ones you want to win over, not me."

"Giiiiiil!"

"Bro, if you really want to I'm not gonna stop you. Still think you're crazy though."

"Tak så meget!" Matthias yelled as he picked Gil off the ground.

"MATT!" Gil cried, "Put me down. People are staring over here!"

"Oh, right," Matthias said as he placed Gil onto the ground, "and here I am all yellin'!"

"Bro, you do that a lot," Gil smiled, "make sure to tell your family, you hear me?"

"Of course!" Matthias grinned as he walked into the kitchen.

Gil shook his head as he started away, but then he caught something at the corner of his eye. He turned and found the back of Lilli's head – she was seated at one of the tables. Across the way from her he noticed Lizzie – today was her day off.

He was about to continue walking when he noticed her wipe her eyes with a napkin. His heart skipped as he rushed over to her.

"Liz?" He tried not to sound worried, "What brings you here?"

It took a moment before she looked up at him. She smiled, but Gil could tell it was forced.

"Hi, Gil," She said, "just . . . wanted to get some . . . coffee."

"Have you gotten it yet?" He scanned the empty table, "here, I'll get you some."

He raced back to the kitchen and almost ran right into Basch.

"Gil?" He asked, "Why are you back? Didn't you have a few more days off?"

"Came early," Gil walked past him and started up one of the coffee machine.

He didn't know why, but something felt wrong. Lizzie looked . . . heartbroken. He's never seen her like that. It practically broke his heart. And then there was Basch . . . something was off about him too.

"Gil," He heard Basch say, "I've got to talk to you."

"Can it wait a bit?" Gil started to pour coffee into one of the mugs beside him.

"No, not really," Basch said, "Have you talked to Antonio today?"

Gil picked up the mug and turned around, "No, why?"

"Well, something happened with him—"

"What happened?" Gil's heart raced, "Is he okay?"

"Honestly, I don't know. I guess he took off somewhere without his phone, and there's no way anyone can reach him."

Gil furrowed his brows, "He's probably working and forgot about his phone."

"But why forget his phone, and his car?"

Gil tried to think of a reason, ". . . maybe one of his guys picked him up? Antonio leaves his things all the time. I'm sure it was just a silly accident."

"Gil," Basch said as Gil walked past him, "his car was unlocked at his phone was underneath it."

Gil stopped at the door, then looked over his shoulder, "I'm about to be off. I'll go see if I can find him."

He pushed open the door and returned back to where Lilli and Lizzie sat.

"Here you are, Prinzessin," He gave a smile, "just the way you like it.

Lizzie smiled, but this time it was genuine, "Thank you, Gil."

"Hey," Gil leaned closer to her, "I'm about to be off. Once I get changed real quick I'll come back and we can talk about whatever is on your mind, okay?"

She nodded and Gil walked over to the register in the back. He looked around for Matthias, but couldn't find him. But since he had about five minutes left in his shift anyways, he clocked out and made his way to the backroom. He pulled open his locker, threw on his street clothes, and bolted back into the café. As he walked back to Lizzie's table, he noticed Lilli stand up from her seat.

She turned towards him, gave a quick smile, and then walked over to a different part of the café.

Gil took her seat and stared at his distraught friend before him.

Her eyes were locked onto the mug as she rubbed the rim with her slender fingertips.

"Liz?" Gil asked as she looked up, "Everything okay?"

She made no verbal reply – just shrugged.

"Liz," He said again, "tell me how I can help you."

"This coffee is good," she said quietly, "Thank you."

"Yeah, you're welcome," Gil frowned, "Liz, please talk to me. What's wrong? Did someone piss you off, 'cause I'll find them and—"

"Gil," she shook her head, "can we go somewhere? I don't care where just away from here, please."

"Sure," He stood up and took her by the hand and led her out of the café.

Once outside the chill air made the hairs on the back of his neck stand. He felt Lizzie's hand tighten in his as he took a few steps forward. He didn't really know where to take her, so he figured just walking around town should suffice.

The two remained silent after passing a few of the monstrous buildings beside them, but it was starting to drive Gil mad. Why she wasn't saying a word made him want to barf, so he decided enough was enough.

"Liz?" He looked over to her, "Can you tell me what's wrong now?"

She released a sigh, "Roderich and I broke up."

"What?" Gil stopped walking, "what happened?"

She shrugged as she pulled him to keep going, "I knew for a while now it was going to happen."

"But why?" Gil's mind raced, "what would be the cause of that?"

"Probably because I'm around you too much . . ."

"That shouldn't result into you both busting up," Gil started to feel his blood boil, "If anything you should have just cut ties with me."

Lizzie's eyes widened as she looked at him, "No, I couldn't do that."

"And why not? If he saw me as a threat why endanger your relationship?"

"No, Gil. You've got it all wrong."

"Then what?" Gil tried to pull his hand from hers, but she tightened her hold.

"Gilbert, listen to me. This didn't happen because he thought you were getting in the way. It was my fault it happened, not yours."

"Your fault?" He looked at her, "Don't cover up for him."

"I'm not," she looked away, "I just know it was my fault."

"And how exactly would you know that?"

"I could feel it. I could see it, Gil."

"What are you talking about?"

"I am telling you I saw this coming. It was only a matter of time—"

"I still don't see how this was your fault."

"Gilbert," she said quietly, "I care about you more than I care about him."

Gil's eyes widened, ". . . what's that supposed to mean?"

She shrugged again.

"So he was jealous, then."

"No, Gil."

"Then what? You're really not explaining this very well."

"I'm trying to, okay? Just let me talk."

"Okay, then," He noticed a bench in front of a shop window and pulled her over to it, "then talk."

He could feel her hand tremble in his as the two of them sat down. He continued to look at her.

With her free hand she ran her fingers through her long brown hair. She took in a breath, then her bright green eyes met his.

"Gil, I realized something not too long ago."

Gil nodded, and she continued, "I realized that I started to fall out of what I felt towards Roderich. I don't know why, but it kind of just happened. But I felt bad for him, so I kept it to myself and went on like it never happened. But . . . I think he noticed it. But he didn't do anything about it either. So we went on like that for a while, until today. . ."

"Don't tell me he pulled the whole 'It's not you, it's me' shit?"

"No, he didn't," She gave a small smile, "all he said was that the two of us needed to take a break to realize what it is that we really want. But . . ."

"But?" The suspense was killing him, "But what?"

"I think I already knew what I wanted for a while now . . ."

"You're losing me again."

"Maybe if you stopped talking so much you'd understand," she lightly flicked his nose.

"Hey," He rubbed his nose, then quickly messed up her hair.

"Gilbert! You're such a child," She tried to fix her hair, but each time she tried Gil messed it up again, "You'd better stop that before I cut your hand off."

"You don't scare me, woman," He smirked.

"You should be scared," She smiled, "I can be your worst nightmare!"

"Uh-huh, and I could be a pretty pixie fairy!"

"Oh," She titled her head, "I could have sworn you already were one. My mistake."

"You're a bitch," Gil laughed.

"And you're an asshole," She pulled him as she stood up, "come on, fat ass. Let's walk around."

"But my fat ass is too lazy," He grinned as she continued to pull on him.

After a few more attempts he actually stood as well, and Lizzie smacked him in the stomach. He couldn't help but laugh as the two of them continued down the street. Though they returned to silence this time was different.

It wasn't as uncomfortable as before – it was almost peaceful.

As the two of them went Gil couldn't help but stare at her occasionally. When his looks would linger too long he'd force himself to look elsewhere.

Just because she was single now doesn't mean he can call first dibs.

She needed some time to adjust first.

"Hey, Liz." He found himself ask, "So . . . what is it that you do want anyways?"

She looked over to him and smiled, "Oh, I don't know. Probably this really tall and strong man with bright, piercing eyes that will sweep me off my feet and carry me off into the sunset."

"Pfft," He tried to cover his laugh with a cough, "Hey, I think I know someone who fits that description."

"Oh, do you now?"

"Yeah. Ludwig."

Lizzie started to howl as she smacked his arm, "You're an idiot!"

"But he fits, doesn't he? Tall and strong. Bright eyes. Yeah, I think he works just fine."

"I don't want Ludwig, silly."

"Why not?" He smiled, "he's a great guy. Knows how to cook, too. He could give you breakfast in bed. Sure he can be overbearing, but at least he's not like me."

"You're not bad."

He laughed, "You must be blind, then."

"I have perfect vision, thank you very much."

He laughed again, "Just thought about something. You can't have Ludwig. It would break Feli's heart."

She smacked his arm again, "then why suggest it?"

"He fit the description!" Gil noticed they had reached the Plaza in the middle of town, "hey, last one to the gazebo owes the winner lunch!"

He bolted and for a few moments he thought he left her in his dust until she rushed beside him. He pushed harder, but she continued to keep up. A few moments later the both of them sprinted up to the Gazeebo, both of them placed a hand against the structure.

Though out of breath Gil started to laugh and soon Lizzie followed. The two of them walked inside of the Gazeebo, and plopped down into one of the few benches set about.

"Feeling any better, Prinzessin?"

"Yes," She smiled, "thank you for listening, Gil."

"Sure," he sank into the bench.

Then his eyes caught sight of two girls approach them. One with short curly blonde hair held in place with her dark green headband, and the other long straight, sliver-blonde hair. The huge bow on the top of her head made Gil almost laugh – almost.

She shot him a look before she turned to Lizzie, "We were trying to call you. How come you weren't answering?"

Lizzie pulled out her cell, "Oh, I could have sworn my sounds were on high. I'm sorry, girls."

"Don't worry, Liz," Emma smiled as she took Lizzie's hand and pulled her up, "Sorry, Gil, but it's our turn to cheer our baby up."

Gil shrugged, "Don't get too crazy now, ladies. Don't want to find you all passed out on the side of the street."

"You're stupid," Lizzie grinned as Emma laughed, "Thanks again."

Gil waved them off and it wasn't long after that the girls vanished from his sight. He was about to stand when his phone started to go off on a rampage. Numerous notifications flashed on his screen, and his phone started to heat up.

Once it had finally stopped Arthur's name flashed. He unlocked the phone and pressed it to his ear.

"GILBERT BEILSCHMIDT! WHY THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU NOT ANSWERING YOUR PHONE?"

Gil cringed as he pulled the phone away, "Bro, what gives?"

"Why were you NOT answering?"

"Why are you yelling?"

"Answer me, dammit!"

"Bro, I just now got your messages," Gil stood up, "reception must suck here."

"Where are you right now?"

"Downtown, why?"

"I need you to come to my house immediately. There are very important matters to be discussed.

". . . Okay?"

†††††

"Oh, Roderich," Gil smirked as he pushed past Francis, "May I have a word?"

Roderich's eyes widened, "why do I get the feeling you want to hit me?"

"No," Arthur shouted as he pulled onto Gil's arm, "now is not the time to—"

"Explain, Rod!" Gil yelled, "think it's just okay to make someone upset?"

"Gilbert!" Arthur continued to pull him.

"I see where this is going," Roderich pushed up his glasses, "do you honestly think that I wanted to do it?"

"Well, obviously you did since I found her upset because of you!"

"Do you think I'm not upset as well?" Roderich's tone heightened, "I did it for her!"

"Really?" Gil laughed, "Well, you hurt her more than helped her!"

"Gil," Arthur interrupted, "what are you going on about?"

"Tell 'em, Rod," Gil spat, "tell 'em how much you helped her!"

It was then that instead of the anger he was looking for, Gil found sadness in his cousin's eyes.

"Gilbert," Roderich replied in a low tone, "for a while now, I've noticed a change. I didn't want to believe it at first, but it was there. And not only in her, but in myself as well. She deserves someone who will protect her at all costs, don't you understand that? I'm not able to do that—"

"And why not?" Gil's chest grew heavy, "that's your job!"

"Gil, how am I supposed to even compare? Do you know how hard it is for me to see her look at you the way she should look at me?"

Gil's face dropped, ". . . what?"

"She wants you, Gilbert. She needs you, and unlike me I know that you'd be able to protect her – you already do. There, are you happy now?"

Gil struggled for the right words. He knew Rod left her because of him, but this is not what he anticipated. He thought it was nothing more than jealousy – not this. Anything but this.

"Oi," Allistor called from upstairs, "Are ye wee babies done cryin' yet? Giving me a headache."

"Precisely," Arthur interrupted, "are the two of you finished? There are much more important matters to attend to than your childish games!"

"Right," Gil straightened himself, "What did you need from me, bro?"

"Something has happened to Antonio," Arthur started, "Before you interrupt me, I would like to inform you that I had another vision."

"What was it this time?" Gil's head felt light.

"I found José in this one," Arthur crossed his arms, "the only difference is I believe he was actually there. He was trying to get friendly with me, but when I declined his request he threw me down a dark pit. Once at the bottom I heard what sounded just like Antonio writhing in pain, but after that I was returned back to reality."

"And you're sure it was Tonio?" Gil questioned.

"Completely," Arthur nodded, "not long before you arrived we spoke with Detective Mendez, and she informed us that somehow José managed to get away."

"Wait," Gil said, "get away as in—"

"He is no longer in custody," Francis sighed, "No one can really explain how he got away, either."

"And what's more," Arthur continued, "Apparently both the Detective and Officer visited Antonio this morning to tell him the same thing."

"Antonio called me this morning," Lovino stated, "he told me he had to tell me something important, but he never showed up."

"Which is why," Arthur nodded, "it was sometime this morning that he suddenly vanished."

"But hang on," Gil scratched his cheek, "So you're saying that douchebag has something to do with Antonio being missing?"

"It is a stretch, but that's the only lead we've got. It's too much of a coincidence to go unnoticed."

"Dammit," Gil said, "Basch was freaking trying to tell me this when he got to work. I thought he was just being stupid."

"Basch told you?" Roderich questioned, "And you disregarded it?"

"I didn't really know what he was talking about," Gil replied, "I had my hands full, but now it's different. I'm gonna stop by Tony's."

"We just came from there," Francis noted.

"Doesn't hurt to check again," Gil said as he started for the door, "I'll let you guys know when I get there."

"Sure you want to go alone?" Arthur asked.

Gil looked over his shoulder and smiled, "Bro, I'm a big boy. I've got this."

With that he bolted out the door and hopped into his rental car.

His baby was still in the shop.

After a few moments of darting down the street, he came up to an intersection and realized that the road before him was closed off. Which was odd since he had arrived to Arthur's using that exact road.

Guess it was time to take a detour.

Gil turned down the right, and followed the lane for what seemed like ages. As he made his way a few more miles he heard an unusual click above him. He glanced up and then back down to the road, but then the sound came again.

"The hell?" Gil said as he smacked the hood.

Great, he's driving around in a lemon.

Not even a minute later the car slowed to a stop and the engine shut off.

Gil turned the key in the ignition, but the car would not budge.

"Piece of crap," He said as he smacked the wheel, and then threw open the door.

He got out of the car and walked over to the hood and yanked it open. He searched along every nook and cranny, but everything was in place. Off in the horizon the sun was starting to set – soon enough he would be surrounded by complete darkness.

He scratched the back of his neck as he slammed down the hood. Then he walked back inside the car and tried the key again. For a moment the car sounded like it was going to start, but then it shut off once more.

He was about to step outside again when he felt something tighten around his neck. He scratched at his neck and felt a sort of thick rope. His heart raced as he tried to pull himself away, but the more he pulled the tighter his neck felt.

He struggled to breathe as he tried to look in the rear-view mirror. There was no one there, or at least he couldn't see anyone.

After a few more pulls he started to feel his head spin.

This cannot be happening.

With one hand he continued to yank on the rope, and with the other he tried to pull out his cell phone. Somehow he managed to unlock it, and he started to dial Arthur's number. His vision started to fade as he finished the digits. Whether he actually pressed 'dial' he knew not.

His vision faded before he could really tell.