Hetalia Under The Big Top

Act 24: Antonio Quits

Antonio cut through the camp to his pick-up truck. He drove it up to the stable and hitched up Cachorro's trailer.

Hearing the odd commotion, Gilbert went over to investigate. He approached the Spaniard as he heaved up a large bale of hay.

"Going somevhere?" Gilbert asked cautiously.

Without looking over, Antonio tossed the bale into the trailer before spitting out a sharp, "I'm going back to Madrid."

"Vhat?" Gilbert's eyes widened as he jumped around to face his friend who was refusing to look up at him. "Jou can't leave! Ve have a show to do! Ve need you!"

"I'm sorry. I just can't be here right now," Antonio admitted through gnashed teeth, grabbing Cachorro's harness.

Gilbert looked around in a panic as Antonio called Cachorro over and entered the pen. Thinking fast, Gilbert took out his phone and called Arthur. Two agonizing rings later Arthur answered.

"Hello?"

"Arthur, get to zhe stable. Antonio is leaving."

"What?"

"Get here now," Gilbert ordered, struggling to put together English sentences.

Hanging up the phone, Gilbert rushed over to Antonio as he led Cachorro into the trailer.

"Vait, vait, vait! Hold on a second. Vhy are jou leaving?" he asked, trying to block Antonio's way as he stepped out of the trailer.

"Gilbert, please move."

"Nein! Jou can't leave us like zhis. If ve don't impress zhose investors, zhis circus ist sunk!"

"I know! Me he arruinado todo. It es just too painful to be here right now."

Amid this multicultural slurring of words, Arthur entered the fray.

"Antonio? What is this I hear about you leaving?"

"Lo siento, Arthur. The circus es not for me. Thanks for taking a chance on me." He ducked between his bosses and started off toward the mobile home he and Elizabeta shared.

"Whoa, wait! Antonio!" Arthur called, following after him as Gilbert filled him in with the limited knowledge that he had.

There was a smothered yelp and a quick scramble on the couch as the door flung open and Elizabeta and Roderich jumped apart. Antonio barely noticed, much less cared, as he marched past them straight to the closet and pulled out his suitcase. In his haste, he had left the door open and the two managers followed him inside, all the more ruining Elizabeta and Roderich's romantic moment.

"What do you mean the circus is not for you?" Arthur demanded as Antonio tossed his possessions into the case.

"There is nothing for me here. I'm better off in Madrid," he said, zipping the case closed and standing it upright.

"You're leaving?" Elizabeta asked as she and Roderich stood.

"Ja, diese dummkopf ist dumping us!" Gilbert explained in a rage, mixing his German and English.

"Antonio, no."

"What about the show?" Roderich demanded.

Antonio shoulders sunk as he let out a slow breath. He looked up and locked his eyes on them with the straightest pokerface he could muster.

"I'm sorry. I know this es selfish of me, but there es no way I can perform in this circus. I'm sorry."

He shook his head and rolled the suitcase out of the trailer.

"Antonio, please," Arthur begged, following him out, "Is there anything we can do to convince you to stay?"

The normally happy Spaniard felt tears roll down his cheeks but he brushed them away.

"I'm afraid not."

Arthur stopped in his tracks but Antonio kept moving, taking their hope of keeping the circus with him.

"Antonio!" someone called.

Antonio looked around in time to be tackled and knocked to the ground, giving him only a second to recognized that it was Lovino.

"I'm sorry!" he cried, clinging to Antonio and burying his face in his chest, "I am a selfish and horrible person, but I love you, Antonio!"

Antonio sat up and Lovino sat on his lap as he continued speaking in plain English, clear enough for everyone around to hear.

"I love you. In the strongest possible way. I can only pray that you can forgive me for lying and hurting you."

Antonio stared with eyes wide. He reached up to wipe away the tears streaming down Lovino's cheek. He held his hand there a moment before rushing in to take his lips. Lovino didn't hesitate. He pulled Antonio close and kissed him with everything he had been holding back. He wanted this. And now he wasn't scared to say it.

Antonio pulled away and stared with a soft smile as his thumb grazed Lovino's cheek. Lovino reached up to take Antonio's hand.

"Forgive me?"

"Sí, mi amor, sí!" said Antonio, wrapping his arms around his little Italian, both laughing and crying with relief.

"Bloody hell, Toni! You gave me a heart attack! And Lovino, you git, what did you do?" Arthur yelled.

Antonio stood up, taking Lovino with him as he approached Arthur.

"Lo siento for scaring all of you like that. I just didn't think I had a choice."

"This is why I didn't allow relationships in the first place!"

"But then you wouldn't have Alfred," said Lovino, folding his arms across his chest.

"How did you know about that?"

"I guessed."

Arthur growled and turned his head away, crossing his arms as he muttered under his breath.

The rest of the crew ran over to them and Gilbert grabbed Antonio.

"Toni, you idiot! Don't do that again!" said Gilbert, crushing Antonio in a bro hug.

"Lo siento," said Antonio, feeling terrible for stressing them all like that, "Can you guys forgive me?"

There were nods and smiles on most of their faces, but Arthur heaved a heavy sigh.

"Bring in a crowd tomorrow and all is forgotten. Right now, though, I need a shot of whisky and a good night's sleep," said Arthur, rubbing his bushy brow and walking off to his trailer.

"Agreed. This is too much drama for one evening," said Roderich. Then he leaned down to peck Elizabeta on the cheek, "Good night, dear."

Roderich bid everyone else a good night then started off toward his place of residence.

"Kesese. Okay, Toni, take good care of mein little Lovi for me," Gilbert laughed, ruffling Lovino's hair before sauntering away with his hands folded behind his head.

Lovino mumbled as he straightened up from protecting his hair curl. Antonio smiled at him and fixed the hair that Gilbert had messed up.

"Te quiero, Lovi," he said, taking his hand.

"Te amo, bastard," said Lovino, before pulling Antonio down for a kiss.

Then there was a flash and a bit of giggling.

"Liz!"

"Sajnálom," Elizabeta giggled, lowering her phone, "You were just so cute. I couldn't help myself."