HetaOni (Hetalia x Reader x 2P! Hetalia)

Chapter 17 1/2 (Part 3)

---Chapter XVII 1/2: Disappearance (Part 3)--- 

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"Well, what do we have here? Hello, little poppet!~" 

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///Little!Reader's PoV///


Out of all the people I had to bump into, it just had  to be this one.


"..He..Hello." I replied softly, giving an awkward wave. Trying not to make much eye contact, I started backing away slowly. It'd be bad if I stay near this one for long. I can't have that person finding out I was doing something out of line.


Staring at me with his baby blue eyes, the strawberry blonde haired man hummed. "Hmm~ What's wrong, little poppet? It seems like you're in a hurry to get away. Why is that?" he asked, kneeling down a few steps in front of me.


"W-What? Not...really. I just, uhm, I just like having my own space, mister." I told him, starting to feel uncomfortable being near this dangerous person.


Tilting his head, the British guy looked at me and smiled. "Oh? ...Why is that?"


"I, uhm...Uh--Because I'm not supposed to be talking to strangers!" I tried to reason my way out of it. His eyes widened a bit, giving a look that's somewhat amused.


Holding out his hand in front of me, he spoke, "Oh, well, then... My name is Oliver Kirkland. Nice to meet you, little poppet~"


"Wh-wha..." I looked at him with uncertainty. What is he trying to do? Well, it'd be dangerous if I anger him, I guess... So...?

Taking his hand, I replied, "N-Nice to meet you, too...Mister Oliver..." The man shook my hand and giggled. "Ehehe~ Silly little poppet, no need to call me to add 'mister'." he told me.


"O...Okay, Oliver. Uhm, I'd love to stay and talk with ya s'more...but I need to go now." I explained as I let go of his hand, feeling a little anxious. If I don't get away from him soon, the others will see me...it's not yet time for that! Stepping back, I turned around to try and make my escape from the guy. But even before I got to take my first step, I felt him grab my hand.


"Ah, wait, little poppet! Where do you think you're going?" he asked me rather darkly, sounding a little unhappy about my attempt to leave. "I have told you my name already, but you haven't told me yours."

I tensed up as I heard him say it. Letting him know my name could be like stepping on a landmine, what should I do? Although...he could actually be of help to me for another matter... Sigh. It's here already, so why not say it?


"...(Name)."


Oliver slowly let go of my hand. I still didn't turn around to face him. But I heard him shuffle slightly then spoke, "...Are you...are you the same person as the poppet we sent back home...? Is that...you, (Name)?"


Giving out a shaky breath, I answered him in a low tone. "No. I'm not exactly that person you're thinking of. I'm (Name)...but at the same time...I'm not."


"What do you mean by that, little poppet?"


"I...I can't tell you that yet."


"Why?"


"......"


"Are you...not allowed to?"


"...That's right."


"By who, exactly?"


"......."


"You...can't tell me that, either, huh?"


"...Yep."


There was a long pause between us after the awkward conversation. I can tell he's thinking of a lot more things to ask from me, but I'm running out of time. "Listen, Oliver, I really need to go. Please don't tell anyone that you saw me, or even know of me."


"Huh? But why, little poppet? We're all actually searching for you." he told me, making me turn around. "Wh-What?! Why?" I asked him, my widened eyes filled with fear.

Sighing, he met my gaze. "Because they think that you might have some answers to the many questions running amuck in our minds, little poppet."


"I can't do that yet! If they ever find out about me and cause a ruckus about it, it'll be bad for you, for everyone--and for (Second Name). So please, please bear with this a little while longer." I practically pleaded. I know that it sounds risky to tell him these stuff, but I'm starting to get desperate.


Suddenly, Oliver knelt down and gave me a hug. "Hush now. Calm down, little poppet. I can see that you're serious about this. You look like you're almost going to cry, and I won't allow that!" he told me tenderly. His hug was warm and somewhat protective, but... "Th-Thank you, but I don't really need hugs..."

"Nonsense poppet. Even though I can sense you're more knowledgeable and act tougher than an average little girl--you're still a little girl. It makes me sad to even see how you're probably handling something scarier than one might dare to take.

I don't know what you're going through, but just this time, it's okay to not be so tough. Breathe." Oliver told me as he pat my back as a way of trying to calm me down.


So this is how it feels like. To be protected. To be a real little girl.


Vulnerable, just this once.


Returning the hug, I gripped onto his sweater vest. "Thank you." I whispered. Though the moment was nice, I knew I had to go back. Breaking away from the hug, I spoke, "Well, Ireally need to go now, Oliver."


"Ollie."


"Huh?"


"I want you to call me 'Ollie', little poppet. It's what I allow my friends to call me." he stated sincerely as he stood up and dusted off his clothes. Hearing him say that gave me a really happy feeling. "Alrightie, then. I'll see ya later, Ollie!~" I beamed, waving my hand and turning around to walk down the hall.


"Will you be okay, (Name)?" he called out, concerned laced in his voice. I can tell even without looking, that he's probably frowning right now.


Stopping my track for the moment, I replied, "Yep! Thanks for worrying, but I'll be alright--so don't let that stop you from smiling, 'kay? It's obvious that it's not like you to be down."


"Well, you're quite right about that, little poppet...but I can't help myself from worrying about my new friend." he told me in a saddened tone.


Smiling to myself, I spoke, "Well, tell ya what, why don't I inform you about something that'll cheer ya up?~"


"...What is it?" he asked me curiously.


Chuckling lightly, I answered him, "Go back to your saferoom and you'll find out."


Again, silence enveloped the hall.


In my mind, I knew that he held on to that tiny string of hope that a certain something will happen. Something wonderful. And I knew that he wanted to believe in my words, too.


And so, he ran.


Once I was all alone in the hall, I breathed in deeply. "Now, I really should hurry back now. The game will start too soon if I don't."


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///Third Person PoV///


In the saferoom, were the First Players. Lying on a bed, was Italy, who was currently under cardiac arrest. No one knew how it exactly happened to him. All they knew at the moment was that the Italian was no longer breathing; his heart no longer beating, and...much against the greatest of their wills--was probably no longer living.


They were slightly scattered around the room, but at a position where they could see their comrade, although the latter wouldn't probably go anywhere for the moment. Other than watching over Italy, they were waiting for the Second Players to return to the room.

The 2Ps, along with some of the 1Ps, went out earlier on a search for a certain little girl that they found suspicious. Canada and France, who went on the search, had returned to the saferoom together, since they saw that their friends were rushing Italy back here. The two happened to pass by Lutz and Kuro earlier and informed them about returning to the safe room before they went ahead. The German and Japanese Second Players understood and told them that they'll call Luciano and have the rest of the 2Ps regroup and head back.

Which brings to this point, where they are all just helplessly watching over Italy, waiting anxiously and thinking deeply on what happened...and on what they should do.



Germany and Japan gazed at their fallen comrade silently. Having a gist of the situation, France shrugged and asked, "...So, it's stopped completely?"

"Yes..." Japan answered, pained by the words he had to say.


England clenched his fists. "I'm sorry...I should have kept calm..."


"No...I was too stubborn, too." America added, guilt almost consuming him.


Russia began counting on his fingers as he spoke, "So, England is blind, Italy's heart has stopped... There have been quite a few casualties, huh?" Though he said in a childish tone like he always does, his expression easily describes how troubled he was.

" Japan, haven't you been through a series of battles? I can't tell you to go to sleep, but you should at least sit down." China suggested, his gaze directed toward the Japanese man that sported a tired look in his eyes.


Shaking his head, Japan gave a half-hearted smile. "...No, I'm not...At any rate, now we..."


"Italy is the only one who can go back in time, right? Though I heard something about England being able to do it, too..." Prussia brought up.


England nodded, "Y-yeah..."


"Now that his magic power is next to zero, he can't do anything...even if he made up for it with his life, I don't think it'd be enough." America said, looking directly at England, but knew that the latter wouldn't be able to tell that he was doing so.


Feeling ashamed, the Brit rubbed his elbow awkwardly. "You're right... it wouldn't..."


"So, we can't go back in time... But c'mon, we can't just escape without Italy... Right, West?" Prussia said, turning to his younger brother. Germany, however, didn't respond as he seemed to be lost in his thoughts.


Prussia placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke, "...West."

"What?" Germany asked as he snapped out of it.

Frowning, Prussia made Germany face him. "Were you listening?"

"Uh, no...Sorry..." the younger brother apologised, looking away.


Prussia couldn't help but click his tongue. This was something that was totally not in Germany's usual character. "Pull yourself together. This is a very important meeting to decide our future. You have to bear with it." he scolded, making his younger brother flinch at the raised tone.

"Germany..." Prussia sighed.


Germany clenched his hands until it felt like it had turned whiter. He knew that it was time to think more rationally and not let his emotions overpower him. "Sorry. I'm fine. I've grown up, too. I'm no longer the coward I used to be." he apologised, finally able to meet his brother's gaze. Prussia gave a relieved smile and pat his shoulder.


At that moment, on the other hand, France began looking around the room. It was then that he noticed something. "...Oh?"


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