A/N: I don't own Hetalia: Axis Powers or Black Mirror. All rights go to their creators.

Chapter 20: The Farm

Lovino had been previously outside sowing the seeds to start his tomato farm. They had enough land and space to provide a plentiful harvest. There were pesticides he had to buy, and certain insects and diseases that he had to look out for that could harm the tomatoes. Arthur took over watering the seeds when Lovino went inside to use the bathroom.

That's when the doorbell rang just when he was finishing up in the bathroom.

Lovino had made sure that no one would be coming over to bother them, earlier today the trial had been broadcast. Seeing his brothers and mother again had brought Arthur down again. He insisted nothing was wrong, but Lovino could tell it was bothering him. It was his idea to work on the farm today, Lovino was more than happy to put it off for another week or two partially as an excuse to be lazy and partially because he cared about Arthur's feelings.

So when he opened the door wide he said, "Antonio I said I didn't want you over today! I know you've got cotton in between your ears–" without paying attention to who was at the door.

"I-I know I've shown up here unannounced, but it's been eating me up you know?" Lovino met a familiar pair of emerald green eyes, one of Arthur's older brothers, the one who he specifically met at the Kirkland's house back in London. Lovino couldn't remember his name but a bout of fear shivered down his spine and he shut the door as quickly as he'd opened it.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

Lovino felt panic rise in his chest. He embarrassed himself back then, how could he even offer some kind of explanation? What was he here for? How did he find Lovino's address?

Lovino scrambled for his phone in his pocket. He'd turned off the notifications and noticed a few missing ones from João that said Dylan asked for his address and Antonio gave it to him so, Lovino should probably prepare for a visit.

Dylan that sounded about right.

Lovino was going to strangle Antonio if he got out of this alive.

Lovino took a deep breath and opened the door again to see Dylan farther down the pathway, presumably heading toward the bus stop. For a split second Lovino had the thought to just let him leave but Arthur would kick his ass if he knew he did that.

"Hey!" He'd said it loud enough for the blond to stop and turn back toward him. "Uh…you came all this way, I might as well hear you out huh?"

So, he let the blond in and offered him a place to sit on the couch.

"We haven't been formally introduced. Dylan Kirkland." He smiled at Lovino and held out a hand to shake, having taken a seat on the couch.

Lovino grasped it, hesitantly, "Lovino Vargas." The man's appearance was pleasant now that he wasn't threatening to kill him.

Lovino even asked him if he wanted some water to drink, real hospitality and shit.

Dylan shook his head, "I won't be here long. I came to apologize first."

"Really? I should be apologizing to you! I did! I shouldn't have broken into your house, no matter what my app told me." Lovino took a seat beside him, a visible space between them.

Dylan let out a slight chuckle just behind his hand, "Well that's true…But if you hadn't done that then we wouldn't have gotten justice for my brother Artie." He paused, letting out a sigh. "Maybe I could've helped if I hadn't have scared you off."

Lovino would have been too embarrassed to ask for help anyway, "It's f-fine r-really. You didn't do anything wrong. I'm just glad all this stuff is over." Lovino could feel his heart racing in his chest.

"Well…what's done is done. I can't thank you enough for what you've done. Apparently being into those "True Crime" podcasts are good for something, yeah? I don't know what kind of miracle brought you to Artie's case but…" Dylan gripped Lovino's hand, squeezing it tightly. Lovino could see the other man's eyes were wet, glistening with unshed tears.

"Lovino, is everything alright…" Lovino looked over to see Arthur in the entryway of the living room which was also the entrance to the back door, "... in here?"

Lovino could only uselessly gape as he felt his ears burn, shifting his gaze back to Dylan who was of course looking at the Android.

No one moved, not Dylan, not Arthur or himself. All presumably scared that if they did, it would make this bizarre situation real. But Lovino had to say something because the suffocation was making his face even warmer.

"I-I can explain!" Lovino squeaked out, voice a higher octave.

This seemed to shake Arthur out of his shock, "D-Dylan?"

Dylan jumped, startled, and tried to press himself further into the back of the couch.

"Please I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Arthur said as he hastily approached the scared blond who was still squeezing his hand, now as though it were some sort of lifeline. Arthur dropped to his knees at Dylan's feet.

The sounds of sobs filled the room as Arthur bowed his head and covered his eyes.

Dylan met Lovino's gaze and Lovino swallowed a lump in his throat.

"K-kiku Honda uploaded Arthur's memories into a computer system, a-and I downloaded them into this Android." Lovino winced, "So… he's kind of a copy…but he has feelings?"

Dylan stared at him for a moment before his look of shock faded, and he turned to the android; he moved to tilt his chin up to look at him.

"You have nothing to apologize for." Dylan's voice was soft, nurturing almost.

"I do! I should have said it before! I never said it enough!"

"Artie–"

"I love you Dylan, and tell Alistair and Connor that as well. I wish– I wish–"

Dylan pulled the android to his chest and shushed him, "I know, they do too. I've known for ten years, Artie. I regret not being able to say it to you anymore."

Lovino felt a little awkward being here for this moment and wondered if he should leave the room. He moved to get up.

"There are so many things I've wanted to say, wanted to ask, but I know it's not necessary. You don't have to carry this burden around anymore Artie."

Dylan met his gaze right as he was in the entryway to the kitchen.

"Neither do you." Dylan said, and the words seeped into his bones.

Lovino sat in the kitchen, at the table, a glass of water in his hands, as he mulled over what Dylan had said. What that painting Feli did, really meant.

He pulled out his phone to distract himself with a few games as he let them finish up.

Later, farewells were exchanged and Lovino was welcome to call if he was ever in London again.

And they'd gone right back to sowing tomato seeds. Arthur told him not to worry about what Dylan had said, he'd always been cryptic. Arthur never could really understand what he was talking about either.

But Lovino knew.

00000

"I've been selfish for keeping you here." He said to Arthur one night, while he was in the Android's arms. He'd told Arthur he'd been having trouble sleeping and this was the result.

The thought had eaten at him and eaten at him night after night until he couldn't stand it anymore.

"Huh? Is this about what my brother said? I'm over it Lovino. The life I had was over as soon as I stopped breathing. And despite the many regrets I had, I wouldn't have found closure without you."

"Exactly your life's over. You've done all you needed to do." Lovino wiggled around until he turned to face him.

"Lovino…you can't mean—does our relationship mean nothing to you?"

"Don't you get it you dumb bastard?"

"I'm not really dead, you know. You know that, yeah? It's not like I have to go somewhere beyond here."

"Didn't you swear that you were a human? So much so you yelled my ear off?"

"That was before. It's clearly not true."

Lovino wiggled out of Arthur's hold and got up from the bed. "I'm not falling for that anymore!" He whirled around on him, "It is true, and the most human thing around is death last I checked."

Arthur was quiet, silence settling over them for a few seconds.

"I-I don't want to leave you."

Lovino pinched the bridge of his nose. "That's been my problem, I don't usually let go of things." He let a breath out of his nose, "But we've got to move on." Lovino heard a creak from the bed springs and when he looked up, Arthur was in front of him.

Arthur sighed, interlacing his fingers with Lovino's. "I don't think that's as terrible of a trait as you think it is. Don't forget about me alright?"

"Che. Me? You don't forget about me!"

"You're unforgettable Lovino, truly one of a kind." His voice was soft, and sweet, full of adoration.

Lovino felt his eyes starting to burn as his vision blurred. Not too hard to do considering they were in the dark.

"Yeah…you too. Uh…grazie for being here when I needed you the most."

"It wasn't hard to do considering how easy you made it to stay." Arthur cupped his cheeks in his hands and pressed their foreheads together. "Promise me you'll be ok when I go."

Lovino felt tears run down his cheeks. He squeezed his eyes tight.

"Si I will." His voice was more confident than he would have thought. Maybe he was ready to do this on his own after all, but it didn't make him feel any less sad.

Lovino didn't open his eyes for a little while as silence settled in the room.

"Hello. My name is Iggy. What action would you like me to perform?" A robotic male sounding voice spoke to him.

The grip on his cheeks had slackened, and when he did open his eyes, the glowing green eyes of the android were spinning. Lovino reached over to the power button right on the Android's collar bone, pushed it, and turned it off for good.

00000

Lionessolutions went bankrupt not too long after the trial when Kiku was found guilty of murder and Erzsébet along with her assistant Abel Jansens were found guilty of withholding evidence. Iggy Two was taken off the app market, and all the social media accounts related to it were erased. So a lot of people lost their jobs, including Gilbert and Ludwig, but they were able to work as mechanics at an Auto Body shop that their father owned.

Sentences would be given out in about a year's time.

Lovino managed to transfer what Arthur had saved to his family over in London, which Lovino could assume was more than he'd had before.

Lovino had the urge to plant some flowers one day in his garden. He sectioned out a space for something away from his tomatoes but was unsure of what to get.

He'd gone to a nearby flower shop and the man at the counter was none other than Ivan Braginsky. He'd almost jumped out of his skin at seeing the tall platinum blond at the counter.

"Mister Vargas a surprise, da?"

Lovino felt his hands trembling so he shoved them in his pockets.

"I'll say." He muttered, slightly terrified at the wrath he would receive being responsible for ending his job.

Ivan gripped his shoulders over the counter quite tightly. Lovino jumped at the sudden action, "I should be thanking you! I was miserable working on that app and now I'm not anymore." His grin was wide, eyes shining like sparkling stars, "I finally have plans to see my sister! I called her and said she would be coming out this weekend."

"T-that's great."Lovino's nerves were still high, the man still terrified him.

Ivan let him go, slapping his hands on the counter, "So! What brings you in?"

"I want to plant some flowers. You got any that won't bother my tomatoes?"

Ivan let out a hum, "I just started working here, let me go ask my manager." Ivan held up a finger before disappearing into the back of the store.

Lovino let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

He leaned against the counter looking up at the array of seeds. It had been a few months, more toward fall and he was just beginning to sell at the local farmer's market.

And sure Feli and Ludwig, and Francis and Antonio had managed to stop by, he'd said Arthur had gone somewhere, they didn't ask too many questions when they saw the look on his face. They probably assumed they'd parted ways, an amicable breakup or something like that, which was partially true.

But it was more akin to grief.

And sometimes he would wonder if he'd done the right thing. But then he thought about how hard it was for Arthur to just forget and ignore his old life…and what kind of person would he be to force him too? So he knows it's better this way, if Lovino knew anything about restless spirits that is.

Ivan returned, grin on his lips, "I've got a few you might like." He spread the packets out like a fan, "Marigolds, sunflowers, basil, oregano, thyme, lavender, and zinnias."

Lovino pursed his lips before plucking the zinnias and oregano from the packets he was holding up. The zinnias looked colorful on the packet; they seemed like a nice addition to brighten up the farm.

"Good choice." Ivan discarded the other packets and scanned the ones Lovino had picked out. He told Lovino the price and he dug into his pocket to produce a few bills.

Ivan bagged up the seed packets before handing them to Lovino, "Nice seeing you Mister Vargas! Have a good day."

Lovino took them with a nervous smile, "You too." The little bell jingled overhead as Lovino left the store.

00000

Lovino stood in Alfred's office as he was hunched over his desk scribbling something pertaining to some paperwork.

Lovino puffed out his chest, and in the loudest voice he could muster he yelled, "I quit!"

The blond stopped mid sentence and looked up to meet Lovino's gaze, blue eyes wide in surprise.

"Arrivederci you four eyed jerk!" To which Lovino then flipped Alfred off. He swiveled on his heels and made a start to leave, head still held high.

"Hey! Wait a second! You're just gonna leave?" He heard the scuttle of his chair scooting across the floor.

Lovino stopped, eyebrows raised. This kid's got brain damage.

"C'mon Lovino, at least let me give you a send off!"

Lovino turned to see Alfred right in front of him. He placed heavy hands on his shoulder, "We'll have cake and presents, all that good stuff!" Alfred gave him a grin.

"Y-you'd do that for me?"

"Of course dude! You've been working here for like what? Ten years now?"

It was exactly ten years now, fuck he was going to be 30 soon. He had only planned to quit because the farm was getting too hard to manage while also working at the cafe. Especially now that the zinnias and oregano had grown, he'd just planted marigolds and some lavender too.

"Alright, alright throw me a little farewell party or some shit." Lovino waved him off.

"Great, We'll have it at the end of the week. You think you can stick it out till then?"

Lovino rolled his eyes but agreed anyway.

Feli paid him a visit the next day to tell him about his and Ludwig's wedding plans. They were sitting on the patio lounging in the deck chairs he got some time last year.

Ice cold lemonade in hand and sunglasses perched on his nose, Lovino knew he was going to be Feliciano's best man so this visit wasn't shocking or anything. Feli gushed about what kinds of suits he wanted everyone to wear, the type of venue they picked out and something about how much doves would cost.

Lovino wasn't paying much attention, staring out at the zinnias in colorful purples, pinks, yellows. He wasn't sure what possessed him to plant them besides being colorful. But lavender flowers were more along his favorites.

He also knew he'd be seeing his parents again. Hopefully he could be cordial, but he'd meant what he said about not caring about their opinion of him.

"They say zinnias are all about friendship, more specifically the absence of a friend." Lovino looked over at Feli who took to staring at them as well. "I was looking into flowers for the bouquet." He said as though he'd read Lovino's thoughts.

"Hmm."

Feli turned to meet Lovino's gaze briefly, "Yeah…" Lovino put his lemonade down as Feli crossed his legs.

Lovino looked back out, putting his hands behind his head, "Alfred's gonna throw me a going away party, cause I tried quitting on him."

"Really? That sounds fun!" Feli clapped rapidly.

"Yeah, free food, drinks and gifts. What more could I ask for?"

"Ooh did they ask you what kind of cake you wanted?" Feli bounced in his seat.

"Alondra said she'd whip me up something special. I don't know what that means but at the very least it won't be poisoned."

"Lovi!"

Lovino shrugged.

Feli left soon after but not before leaving the wedding invitation, within an envelope with his name on it written in fancy cursive scrawl, in his lap.

The little get together was nice. Since it was at work, the morning shift stayed overtime to celebrate during the afternoon. Alondra smashed his face into the cake that she'd made. He'd gotten presents from them all too, along with farewell hugs.

Lovino was feeling warm and fuzzy, his presents in bags, as he sat on the train on his way home.

0000000

Lovino was at the local Farmer's market in Hudson, New York one day a few weeks later. His tomato stand that also included his world famous tomato sauce was up and running.

He sat chin in hand as he waited for the afternoon rush to start.

Crimson red eyes met Lovino's own, Vladimir raised his eyebrows. He approached the stand, mouth agape.

Lovino felt a little uncomfortable under the man's gaze. He flickered his gaze down to a jar of his tomato sauce, glistening in the sun. A fly had landed on the lid and Lovino swatted it away.

"That's what you've been doing out here." Vladimir said, picking up a ripe and rather plump tomato from the basket. He had more on a table behind him.

"You here to buy something, cause that ain't free." Lovino met his gaze again.

"O-oh right of course. I just…didn't think this was what you were into."

Lovino raised an eyebrow, "There's a lot you don't know about me. What are you trying to say? That I'm better fit working at the cafe until I die?" Lovino snatched the tomato from him, cleaning it off.

Vladimir shook his head, "No! I'm just surprised I didn't notice before."

Lovino shrugged, "I didn't tell you. You don't have to infer those things. Just ask if you want to know."

Vladimir glanced at him again, remorse etched onto his features. For what, Lovino isn't sure about.

"You're right." Vladimir picked up a jar of tomato sauce seemingly weighing it in his hands. "How's your friend Arthur, is he at home?"

"Eh, we went our separate ways." Lovino avoided his gaze. "It's not so bad," seemingly finding the tomato in his hand more interesting.

"I'm sorry to hear that. If you want to talk I'm available, anything you need. Even though we're not co workers anymore." Vladimir said.

"What are you doing out in Hudson anyway?"

"Oh! I like to shop at the local antique stores from time to time for French and Italian decor. Sometimes I stop by the local farmer's markets too. Don't let me keep you, " Vladimir said, handing him the cash for the tomato sauce.

"Grazie," he said, gripping the bills.

"Take care." Vladimir then walked into the crowd of people at the market. Lovino weighed the tomato in his hand for a moment before rushing around his stand.

He waded through the crowd and looked for Vladimir, panicking slightly when he thought he'd lost him, only to trip over him. "A-ah sorry! Lovino are you ok?"

Lovino didn't fall, he just kind of stumbled over him.

Vladimir had squatted down to tie his shoe.

Lovino breathed and held out the tomato. "I took it from you earlier. It's on the house."

Vladimir stood up and gasped, "Oh right. I was going to buy one." He took the tomato, fingers brushing against each other briefly.

"Do you maybe want to go out for drinks sometime?"

Vladimir's cheeks were pastel pink, "Just the two of us? Like a date?"

Lovino shrugged, "Sure, why not?"

Vladimir nodded, "I would like that."

"Well I'll text you the details. I kind of have to get back." Lovino said, gesturing to the stand.

"Of course! Take care." Vladimir gave him a wave.

Lovino returned to his tomato stand, cheeks burning, surprised at his own confidence. He'd have to find a nice bar in town for them to visit.

He glanced up at the slightly cloudy sky, sun warming his cheeks.

Maybe he really was going to be alright.

A/N: Honestly I was struggling with where I wanted this to end. I don't usually do bittersweet endings, I wanted them to end up together believe me but idk it just didn't feel right.

It kind of comes full circle with England leaving, after having served his purpose, and Romano asking Romania out, to me.

Gosh this was a wild ride from start to finish. I hope you enjoyed this story! Thank you to everyone who has been following it from beginning to end, who favorited and commented on it too.

I have a spin off story planned after this one because apparently I really like Engmano.

Thank you for reading!