Chapter 22: Another New Arrival

The next morning, everybody came down in their own time. I couldn't help but linger, even as the smell of Hungary's food lured me towards the kitchen. I was stopped by Prussia in the hallway, where he pulled me aside into a bedroom to speak.

"How're you holding up, Ita?" He asked, giving me a concerned look.

"I'm okay... Just... we both know what's coming next. How do you think you'll hold up? I mean... he was your baby brother." Prussia deflated slightly at my words.

"Don't you worry about me, Ita... I'll be fine... It's you I'm worried about. And so is Hungary... and your brother."

"I get it." I snapped. "I'm sorry." I apologized immediately. I felt guilty for snapping at Prussia. He was only concerned.

"I understand. You're stressed. I'd be worried if you weren't." He chuckled. "After all that you've been through... you and your brother both these past few days... Gott, has it only been days? It feels like years."

"Well, it has been years. Just sped up." I shrugged. Though I understood what he meant. "How do you think Germany will take everything? I mean, he doesn't remember, does he?"

"Nein. He still has no memories of his childhood. And I haven't had the heart to tell him." Prussia sighed again, sinking down into a nearby chair. He looked tired, and gaunt. "I'm scared, Ita... I don't know if I can... handle seeing everything again. Especially when he..." He winced, a couple of tears pricking his eyes.

"I know. I'm not sure how I'll handle everything again either. Especially since we're watching with... Him." I growled lightly, thinking of France. Even after all this time... even after That Place... Part of me still had yet to forgive him for what he did.

"Ja... I tried to ask him about it once or twice, but he always played dumb... he never owned up to what he did, and that pisses me off. I mean, he's still mein friend, but... I'm not sure how much I can trust the man who can't even apologize for murdering my brother."

A sudden knock at the door stopped our rather depressing conversation, as Hungary poked her head in. "Sorry to interrupt, but if you don't come down soon, all the food will be gone. So if you want breakfast—and Canada made some pancakes, too—then you'd better come down soon." She warned, a small smirk on her face.

Prussia and I shared a look before bolting out the door towards the kitchen. "Birdie!! Save me some Awesome Pancakes!!" Prussia yelled.

"Vino~! Save me some of Hungary's cooking!!" I cried out at the same time, as we both comically caught on the doorframe to the kitchen, resulting in a rather spectacular fall.

"Wow, that's quite an entrance." America laughed. "You guys okay?"

"Si... Or I would be if Mr. Awesome, here would kindly get his foot out of my spleen."

"Sorry, Ita..."

Luckily, there was still plenty of food left, and not really anything to worry about.

A sudden flash from the living room drew everyone's attention. "Oh, no... Not again!" South Korea huffed, as he left the room, followed by the rest of us.

Austria stood there, looking more than a little confused. "Italy!" He cried in relief when he saw me. "H-Hungary, too?! Would someone mind telling me what is going on, here?"

"Another?!" Germany sighed. "Sit down, this'll take a bit."

Almost an hour later—due to constant interruptions—Austria was properly briefed on what was going on, and what's been occurring.

"So has any real time passed since the earthquake?" I asked, curious. I'd feel bad, after all, if we were making people worry.

"Well, that's the thing. It's been about two days or so... And..." Austria looked away for a moment.

"Is it that bad?" Prussia asked. Austria wasn't the type to beat around the bush.

"You're all in comas." He finally said.

"Wh-what?!" France choked, staring in shock.

"You won't respond to any outside stimuli, and everyone's very worried. I remember sitting by Italy's bedside when I felt extremely tired. Perhaps there was some residue of the spell left, and it sent me here. I'm likely also in a coma, now, and the others are probably scared out of their minds." He sighed.

"Well, what about these two? They arrived just a little bit after us, but they didn't know what was going on." America gestured to Hungary and South Korea.

"Well, we were the ones to get you all out of the wreckage." South Korea said, rubbing the back of his head. "If there was spell residue, then we would've come into contact with it."

"I'm almost certain that's what happened." England sighed. His brothers were going to kill him. "I do hope that nobody else finds their way here."

"You're fucking telling me." Romano hissed. "You think I want all you fuckers watching our goddamned memories?! They're private!"

"We don't have a choice, fratello!" I spoke up. He grumbled, but didn't continue.

I wonder...

Hm? Oh, you're awake again? I asked Yang mentally, making sure my brother couldn't hear.

Do you think Luciano will get worried and come in after you? Not like he, or any of their 2Ps would need any help getting here.

I... I hope not. Though Luciano, I wouldn't mind. He already knows most of this shit, and to be honest, it'd be nice to have someone I can sort of hide behind. Fratello's great, don't get me wrong, but Luciano's a part of me, and I sorta trust him more.

After what that asshole of a 'brother' did to you, I'm shocked you don't trust him less. I'm shocked you trust him at all. Fam—

STOP! Don't you dare say those words. I threatened him, feeling a strong shiver of fear run down my spine. Luckily, nobody seemed to notice.

Sorry, sorry. I didn't realize they still held that much power over you.

Shut up, Yang.

That's always how you end our conversations! 'Shut up, Yang, I don't wanna talk to you anymore.' It's annoying! How's a simple 'bye.' Or 'talk to you later.' Or even a simple 'not now.'? I'm a person too. I felt him crossing his arms in our mindscape, pouting like a petulant child.

Look, I'm stressed and tired. I haven't been sleeping well because of all the shit we've been going through the last couple of days. I'd appreciate it, if you'd stay away from sensitive topics for the time being. You can stay around, but just... please try not to make things harder than they already are.

Fine...

"—ano? Feliciano?!" I jumped back, nearly falling over, as I finally registered my brother's hand waving inches from my face. I would've fallen if Prussia hadn't caught me.

"Woah, there." He smiled.

"Grazie. Sorry, fratello, I was thinking." I apologized.

"I could tell. You were thinking pretty damn deep about something. I've been trying to get your attention for the last ten minutes. We're ready to go again." Romano sighed, looking at the door with distaste.

"R-right." I took a deep breath, readying myself for what was surely going to be one of the hardest chunk of memories I'd have to confront here.

I looked around me, seeing Austria and Hungary smile comfortingly at me helped ease some of my anxiety. My brother squeezing my hand helped, too. The others gave us looks of comfort or patience, and Japan gently placed a hand on my shoulder, giving me strength. Prussia smiled encouragingly at me, and I knew I could do this. I'm not alone anymore... right?

A/N: Hello everybody~! Sorry I've been absent the last few days, this chapter wasn't particularly forthcoming. So I know a lot of you are probably disappointed with a 'setup' chapter, and not an actual chapter that shows HRE, but it is coming! I just haven't had the chance to get on it with so much work lately (which, since tomorrow's my last day at PetSmart because I was a seasonal hire, my time should vastly open up... until I can find a fulltime or second part-time job again.)

I HAVE AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT TO MAKE!!

I am dedicating this chapter to my friend Lilie~! HAPPY BIRTHDAY~! :D

Everybody~! Sing it! ^_~

Words: 1,278/1,280

Pages: 3

Posted: 12/30/2018

Edited: 03/08/2019