Just Survive::AmericaXreader

Chapter Twenty-Five

"Get out..."

"Ludwig, please, you need-"

"I don't need to do shit! Get the fuck out!"

You jumped at his raised voice before scurrying out and slamming the door shut behind you. Tears started to escape from the corners of your eyes as you sighed. It's been a month since Feliciana had passed. She was buried under the large tree near the picnic area and given a small, but meaningful service. However, Ludwig locked himself up in his house, refusing to listen to what anyone had to say, and he won't even acknowledge his own son. He calls Maceo an 'it' whenever he comes up in the conversation, and blames the child for his mother's death.

"I'm guessing my little brother still won't listen." You looked up into Gilbert's sad, crimson eyes before hugging him. "I'll be alright, (Name). Lovina is feeding Maceo over at her place." You nodded, then released him after he gave you a quick squeeze. You folded your arms under your chest as you walked down the cracked road. You and Lovina were the main two to take care of the premature baby. No one breast fed him, but gave him formula. Lovina didn't want to feel like she was taking her sister's place in motherhood, so she just fed her nephew with a bottle. In just a few weeks, she'd have another baby to care for, and you still had your four month old triplets and seven year old brother to watch after.

Sometimes, you'd catch yourself turning around and starting to talk to Feliciana, which lead you to cry when you remembered she wasn't there. Everyone was hit hard with her death. Maybe it was because she died inside the walls where everyone could see that she had died. Maybe because you knew there was no chance of her coming back.

"Here, Lovina. Let me take him. You've had him all day."

The Italian looked up at you from her spot on her couch before looking back down at Maceo. "How'd things go with Ludwig? The same?"

You sighed, then nodded, slowly sitting beside her on the couch. "He's still blaming Maceo. He won't say his name and he refuses to call him anything other than an 'it' or 'the thing that killed Feliciana'."

Lovina's jaw tensed angrily as she clutched the sleeping babe. "Of course. That fucking bastard. He needs to fucking realize he's not the only damn one grieving over Feli! You're grieving, Antonio's grieving, I'm grieving! I lost my little sister! My only family aside from my children! She's the only family that chose me! Sure, she loved Grandpa, but she chose me every time she was given a choice! I still don't understand why! But that potato munching bastard better suck it up, because he's our fucking leader! And if he can't live up to it, he can go to hell for all I care! As long as he doesn't come near Maceo! He doesn't deserve this boy if this is how he's going to be!" Lovina's lip quivered and tears streaked her cheeks. You leaned over and embraced her. "I think I might hold him a little while longer. I'll send Antonio when you can take Maceo."

"Alright." You stood and tried to smile for her. She returned it, then watched as you left. You went back to your house, then up to your room where Alfred had all three babies tucked in and protectively held by his arm. You smiled, slipping in bed with them.

"How'd it go with Lud?" Alfred asked, opening his eyes.

You sighed, twirling a soft lock of sandy blonde hair atop of Andrew's head. "Same. He's still angry and refuses to acknowledge Maceo." Alfred sighed as well, looking down. "Alfred, if he keeps this up, we might need someone new to lead us. He's been doing it for so long, I don't think we'll know what to do without a head." Your lover nodded in agreement. You waited a moment before speaking up again. "I think I might talk to him one more time before we decide what to do about leadership."

~

Taking in a deep breath, you knocked as you opened the door.

"Go away, whoever it is. I can't stand another talk."