Chapter 26: Final Farewell

We'd just finished eating a late lunch, when a familiar flash caught my eye. "Goddamnit, not again!" England shouted, frustrated. "How many more people are going to come through?!"

"Where the fuck am I?! Oi! Felice! Vino!" A familiar voice called out, and I quickly dashed into the room to find Luciano standing there, looking concerned, pissed off, and more than a little confused. "There you are!" His gaze softened in relief when he saw me.

"Luci?! What're you doing here?" I asked. Of all the people I thought would show up, I honestly expected the 2Ps to stay out of it.

"I'm here to find you, you inconsiderate turd!" He marched over to me and gently flicked my forehead. "How do you think I felt, when I heard you were in a goddamned coma?!" He glared at me, concern etched into his face.

I realized his eyes had heavy bags under them, and the edges were rubbed raw from many sleepless nights. They were bloodshot, possibly from crying, and there were new worry lines embedded in his brow.

"You look like shit." I observed.

"And whose fault do you think that is, huh?!" He huffed, pulling me into a hug. "Do you know how terrified I was when I heard that you were in a coma after a fucking earthquake?! Not just you, either, but all these other assholes?! And Lovi."

"Hey! Why am I a tacked-on name?!"

"1P Ireland, Scotland, and Oliver confirmed that you were hit by some kind of spell. They're still working on what kind it was, but from what we can tell, it'll wear off in due time. I just couldn't stand there, though, so I followed our Link and here I am." He held me at arms length, checking me over for injuries.

"I'm fine. We're watching my memories, though. This spell shows the past of whoever was hit, in this case, me." I sighed.

"When are we?"

"Acel just left for war." I mumbled, though I knew he could hear me.

"Oh..." He paused for a moment. "I'm here, you know that, right?" He whispered, suddenly becoming aware of the other nations who were watching the scene unfold.

"Oh, don't mind us." England smirked, enjoying seeing one of the most notoriously cold-hearted 2Ps being so gentle.

Luciano glared at him, before he simply sighed and looked tiredly at me. "I'm just glad you're okay."

"I'm as okay as I'm going to be." I looked him in the eye, reaching out through our Link. "I'm glad you're here, Luci... I'll need your support. Not just here, with Acel, but... with That Place..."

He stiffened a bit. "You mean it'll even show...?" I nodded.

"Remember guys, you're not speaking out loud. You're just looking into each other's eyes like star-crossed lovers and nodding." America spoke up, causing Luciano to send a glare at him.

"Come on, then. We may as well get this shit over with." He sighed, going towards the door.

With nothing more to say, the room vanished in a swirl of light, and the next memory started to play.

The scene started out showing an older Feliciano, now no longer wearing a dress, sweeping in front of Roderich's place. He was a young pre-teen, on the cusp of becoming a teenager—likely somewhere around the physical age of thirteen—and though he still looked rather feminine, an experienced eye could tell he was a male.

Gilbert came running up the road, a grin on his face. "Ita!" He called, waving.

"Prussia~! I've missed you!" Feli ran and hugged him. "How's Acel doing?" He asked.

"Actually... about that." Gilbert fidgeted, not looking Feliciano in the eye. His smile was gone.

"What's wrong?" The nations around me shuffled in discomfort, fearing the worst.

"He's... well... um..."

Someone tapped Feliciano on the shoulder, and he whirled around to see a figure of similar height, maybe a few centimeters taller, wearing a dark cloak.

The figure grinned. "It's been a long time, Italia." Acel removed the hood, smiling down at the golden-eyed youth.

Acel had aged well, and now, especially, the nations could see the resemblance between him and Germany.

Feliciano's eyes brimmed with tears as he launched himself into Acel's arms. "Holy Rome! You're home!" He cried, sobbing lightly into the blonde's chest. Gilbert gave the two a grin as he laughed.

"I'm glad you two are so happy, but there's someone you should meet, Ita." Gilbert said, waving a boy over who looked identical to Acel. "This is my other baby brother, Ludwig. He's Acel's twin."

Germany stared. It was surreal to see himself like that. He didn't even remember any of this!

"Guten Tag!" Ludwig greeted, his harsh German accent contrasting with his brother's gentle Italian-esque one. "I've heard a lot about you from mein annoying older bruder." He playfully shoved Acel, who laughed.

"Of course~! How can I not brag about my beautiful girlfriend?" Acel grinned.

"Girlfriend, huh? I dunno... that's a... pretty... masculine girl..." Ludwig observed, eyeing Feliciano.

"Uh, oh..." Canada gulped.

"No way! Italy's a girl, right, Italia?" Feli was quiet.

"Uh... actually, about that..."

The memory faded out to Acel's shocked cry of, "WHAT?!"

Prussia burst out laughing. "Oh, Gott! I remember that!"

"So that's what you meant." Luciano nodded, crossing his arms. Though the telltale twitching of his lips told me he was amused.

"I can hardly believe how easygoing you were back then, Germany-san." Japan said, speaking up for the first time in a while. A lot of shit had been going on, and he preferred to sense the mood and refrain from speaking unless necessary.

The next scene cropped up to show a rather subdued Feliciano sitting on the back steps of the house, while Ludwig sat beside him. "I don't know what to do! What if he doesn't like me anymore?" Feli despaired. "I mean, he thought I was a girl, and..."

"Hush, now. I know mein twin fairly well, and he really does love you. He wouldn't shut up about you, you know. He'd brag to everyone about your personality, and how shy you were when he first met you, and how your art is phenomenal." Ludwig chuckled. "He just needs some time to process everything." He reassured Feli, patting him gently on the shoulder.

"Wow. You were being very emotionally communicative." Russia smiled.

"I... I didn't even have a manual back then." Germany stared at his past self in surprise. "Are we sure that's not Acel?"

"No, his eyes are a couple shades darker than yours, and his hair's a few tones lighter. Plus, his features are a little softer and more elongated than yours, whereas your facial structure is a bit more squared." I said, smiling softly at the scene.

"That's... oddly specific." Germany blinked.

"I am an artist. We're usually pretty observant." I deadpanned.

"But it's already been three days!" Feli protested, "He's only home for a few weeks, right? So... what if..."

"What if what?" Acel spoke up, causing Feliciano's head to whip up. "Let me answer your concerns." He smirked as he leaned forward, tilting Feli's chin up to capture his lips in a gentle, but meaningful kiss. "Ich liebe dich, Italia."

Feliciano smiled, a couple of tears leaking out of his eyes. "I'm so happy! Ti amo, Acel." He jumped to his feet, and caught the blonde in a return kiss, and Ludwig half-smiled, half-gagged (playfully) at the sight.

"Get a room! I'm going to go find Gilly... I'm sure he's around here somewhere." Ludwig muttered, going off on his own. "Try not to suck each other's faces off!"

The two broke apart, blushing madly. "Try not to be such a prude! Go get laid, Luddy!" Acel called after his laughing twin, who quickly started speed-walking away, mortified.

The scene blurred, showing a montage of the two spending time together, falling in love on a deeper level than a childhood crush.

At one point, Feliciano was shown in their Meadow. Acel had fallen asleep underneath a very large tree, and Feliciano was painting the picture.

"So Acel's home, too?" Luci asked, looking at his 1P. Feli looked up.

"Si." He smiled. "He knows I'm a guy, now, and still loves me~! I've met his brother, Ludwig, too. He seems nice enough." Feli grinned.

"Yeah. I've met Veryl's brother, too, but I can't get his full name out of him. Maybe it's something embarrassing? The most I can get is Lutz." Luci shrugged.

"So is Veryl home, too?"

"Si... and... erm..." Luci went red.

"Oooh? Did you make him those cookies?"

"Si... grazie for teaching me how."

"Something happened." Feli accused, causing his 2P to go redder. He instead held up his left hand, showing off an impressive stone on his ring finger.

The nations covered their ears when Feli let loose a shockingly high-pitched squeal of excitement. Perhaps the most amazing thing is that Acel only stirred before falling back asleep.

"Oh, Luciano~! That's magnifico!!! You're engaged!!!" Feli twirled in excitement, unable to contain his happiness.

"D-don't make this a big deal!" Luci hissed, but Feli wouldn't listen.

"What did Flavio say?!"

"..." Luci looked away.

"You haven't told him, yet?" Feli's brows shot up.

"Well, it's not like I can just drop by his place and invite him to the... er... th-the w-wedding..." Luci went incredibly red as he stuttered out the words.

"Oh, you're so adorable~!" Feli laughed. "Are you wearing a tux or a dress?"

"Tux. Shove me in a dress, and I'll kill you in your sleep." Luci glared.

"Fair enough." Feli laughed. The two continued to bicker as the scene faded out, much to the embarrassment of Luciano and the amusement of the 1Ps.

"Feliciano..." Acel spoke up as the memory faded back in. They were eating sweets that Feli had made for them in their Meadow.

"Si?" Their hands were intertwined as the sunlight fell upon them, warming them against the cool autumn breeze. The trees shed their multi-colored leaves, making the scene picturesque. There was a blanket spread out beneath them, and it looked like Acel had prepared a picnic for them.

"I wanted to ask you something..." He pulled out a small box before going down on one knee. "Will you marry me?"

Feli stared, shock evident on his face. "Y-YES! Of course!" He kissed him passionately, before allowing Acel to slip the simple band over his finger.

Hungary and Austria shared a surprised look. "You never told us...?" Hungary started, heartbroken.

I looked down, pulling a necklace out from underneath my shirt. On a simple chain, hung two matching bands. I didn't say anything, but I could feel their eyes on me. "I never take it off." I muttered, slipping the smaller one over my left ring finger. It still fit perfectly, and I smiled nostalgically before slipping it off again and tucking it back into my shirt.

"I always wondered what that was..." Germany breathed. I knew he was surprised. I was technically his brother-in-law, after all. I was glad when Germany didn't say anything more on the matter.

Prussia just sympathetically patted my shoulder, as Luciano sent me comforting thoughts. "If it's of any help, you're still a bruder to me." Prussia whispered softly. I sent him a smile of gratitude.

"You knew?" Germany looked at his brother in surprise.

"Ja... You did, too, but..." Prussia trailed off. "After he... you forgot everything except your name."

"So the only people who knew were you three?" America asked, pointing to myself, Prussia, and Germany.

"I knew, too." Romano spoke up. "I didn't know everything, but Veneziano did tell me about the rings and their significance."

"The fuck am I, chopped liver?! I knew this shit, too." Luciano pouted.

Aww, the Smol One is pouting~!

Smol One? Sounds like a nickname for you, assbreath.

The fuck did you just say?! You wanna go?!

Not really in the mood right now, Yang.

Right... I'm sorry. Just trying to lighten the mood for you a bit.

I know... grazie, fratello, but... I don't think even you can help right now.

I understand.

The memory faded in to show Feli running up to Gilbert with a large grin.

"Ah~ So he finally did it?" Gilbert laughed.

"Aww, you already knew?" Feli pouted, but his smile still snuck through as he showed off the ring.

"Of course I knew! I helped pick out the ring, silly!" He laughed. "So have you told Hungary yet? I'm sure she'll flip."

"Actually..." Feli looked down a bit. "I'm going to wait until after Acel comes home for the wedding." He smiled softly. "I don't want to jinx anything, after all."

"I see... Understandable. But Ita, are you sure you don't want to push the wedding forward to before he leaves?"

"I'm sure. We've talked about it quite a bit, and we've agreed that it'd be best if we can use the wedding as a celebration of the war's ending, too." Feli beamed.

"Eh, whatever you two want, I suppose." Gilbert shrugged with a massive grin. "But either way, you're officially part of this family, now! You're mein new baby bruder! Kesesese~!"

"Ja! Und my bruder, too! Please keep my twin in line." Ludwig grinned, looking years younger.

"Don't you mean keep you in line, you little troublemaker?" Gilbert teased, ruffling Ludwig's neatly combed hair.

"H-hey! Mein hair!!" He cried out in horror, causing Feli and Gilbert to laugh.

The next scene faded in showing Acel standing by the wagons, ready to march out again to war.

"I... Please don't go..." Feli said, tears in his eyes. "I'm so scared you won't come home."

"I promise, Feli." Acel smiled, giving him a chaste kiss. "I'll come home in time for the wedding." He winked.

Ludwig rolled his eyes. "I'm going on ahead, bruder. Catch up when you're done saying your farewells." He waved to the two of them as he walked away. "It was nice to meet you, Feli! I'll look forward to talking more with you when we meet back up in May!" Ludwig waved.

"I don't know..." Feli still looked anxious. A cool breeze caused the trees to dance, sending their multi-colored autumn leaves afloat in the wind.

"I know... Here." Acel took off his hat, handing it to Feliciano. "Keep a hold of this for me, okay? And when I return, you can do the public proposal this time, okay?" He grinned.

"But... what if..."

"I'll be fine. I promise, I'll come home." He reassured Feli, and for a moment, a ghostly image of Rome appeared next to him. "I promise. I'll come home."

"NO! Please!" Feliciano's tears renewed, stronger this time.

"Oh, Feli..." Acel pulled him into a hug, as he let him sob on his shoulder. "I'll protect you, always. But if ever anything happens to me... I need you to promise me two things, okay?" He looked into teary golden orbs.

"W-what is it?"

"Number one, I want you to try to find something to live for. Don't you dare throw yourself into war. And don't ever change, because you're beautiful." He smiled, planting a kiss on Feli's lips.

"A-and the second thing?" Feli asked, hiccuping lightly.

"I want you to look after Luddy." He said, serious. "Ludwig's my baby brother, and I'd only trust you and Gil to look after him. If anything ever were to happen to me, I don't know what he'd do."

A sudden look of understanding flashed in Germany's eyes. "You..."

"It's partially why I stuck to you like glue when we 'first' met, Germany. You have no idea how relieved I was to find you, after all those years. I'd searched and searched, but couldn't find you anywhere, and all Prussia would tell me is that you were safe."

"I'm sorry, Ita. I didn't realize he'd made you promise that." Prussia looked downcast. "And I already knew you'd lost Acel... I didn't want you to realize you'd lost Luddy, too..."

"Fusosososo~" Spain butted in, making myself and Prussia smile. "Now's not the time for such depressing thoughts, right? Fusosososososo~!"

"Grazie, Spain." I smiled softly, turning back to the memory.

"I promise. I swear it, I'll do everything in my power to look after and protect Ludwig." Feliciano said, and Acel relaxed greatly.

"Thank you, Feli." They shared one last drawn out kiss before Acel turned and left Austria's house for the last time.

A/N: Surprise! Not only is it ANOTHER update, but Acel wasn't dead yet! I wanted their relationship to be deeper, so it'd be more tragic when he died, so I had him come home from war for a couple weeks, older, realize Feli was a guy, love him anyways, PROPOSE to him, and THEN he'll die (next chapter, so prepare your tissues and get ready to bottle your tears). Also, Italy's obsession with Germany is explained~!

We also got to see some Kid!Germany this chapter, and how he used to interact with his twin (I wonder how he'd be now if Acel had lived?). For those of you who've asked, yes. Germany will eventually get his memories back.

And Luciano joins the party~! :D He's one of my favorites, and I love the idea of an overprotective, tsundere, brotherly personality for him. He really is a burnt cinnamon roll.

And Yes. I read all the comments you guys leave (Smol One is a reference to some comments on Wattpad, so here's a low-key shout out to you guys~!)

And before you all ask... Yes. There will be other 2Ps joining in at a later date. Though Flavio will likely show up before the others do...

Words: 2,043/2,743

Pages: 5/6

Posted: 01/02/2019

Edited: 03/09/2019