HetaOni (Hetalia x Reader x 2P! Hetalia)

Chapter 19 (Part 2)

---Chapter XIX: Hide and Seek (Part 2)--- 

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"We have the key to the front door, fratello."

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  //Romano's PoV (Well, don't think you could just forget about us, idiota!)//


I felt the thundering of my heart caged within my chest as soon as the words left my brother's lips. For the longest time, it was what we all wanted to hear. It was what we always wanted to cry out, what we always hoped for.


And now it's here.


Trying to stop myself from reacting out of place, I cleared my throat. "...I-Is that true? Does that mean..."


"...Fratello, we can finally...finally leave this place."



Not even knowing the truth nor the story behind his words, I can tell that Veneziano was elated, euphoric, and had this tired look in his eyes that spoke how much he is relieved by the fact that they attained a single item.


And that soft crack in his voice that wants to cry out,


"Finally, it's over."


I want to say it. I want to congratulate him. Congratulate us. I want to tell him how glad I am to hear the news. I want to tell him how proud I am that he has survived through all the tragic events he's been through. I want to share that joy he's feeling right now. I want to breathe the same breath of relief that he let out upon hearing the news.

I just want to be happy with my fratello.


Taking short, shaky steps toward Veneziano, I was about to tell him everything. I wanted to express everything.


But...


A hand was placed on my shoulder, stopping me from taking a step further. Spain pulled me aside, at a good distance from Veneziano, his nature turned quiet and the glint in his green eyes was serious.


"Romano..." I heard Spain whisper. As I turned to the side to face him, I understood the look he was giving. I didn't actually like it. It was a look that's mixed with pity and comfort.


With a voice as hushed as he could, Spain spoke, "I know you love your brother with all your heart, but the Ita in front of us...that's not your brother, Romano."


I felt like the world around me went into a complete standstill.


"...that's not your brother, Romano."


Feeling slightly angered, I pushed him a step backwards. "What do you mean he isn't my brother, huh? Can't you see? That's mi fratello over there. Italy Veneziano."


"Roma...you know what I meant by that. That person over there is Italy...but he's an Italy of the past. He's not from our timeloop. Our Ita is still back...in our current timeloop...he's..." Spain looked away, not planning on continuing his sentence.

My eyes darkened as I heard his reasoning. "Tell me, Spain. Veneziano from our timeloop...is he alive and well?"

"H-He's..." the Spaniard stammered as he looked back at me, knowing very well that my brother's condition back in our current timeloop was far from alright.


Gritting my teeth, I averted his gaze. "He's in cardiac arrest. He isn't waking up. He isn't breathing. His heart, no longer beating. No matter how much I tried to cry out to him, he wouldn't respond."

"But there's still a chance, Romano," he told me, trying to convince me that his words held some faith in them.

I felt like I reached boiling point. "Stop saying the things that I want to hear, but are far from happening! Blatantly lying like this, do you have any idea how much it hurts?!"

"...He's as good as dead, and we both know that," I choked out, tears threatening to spill from my eyes.


"Fratello, w-what's wrong?" Past!Italy called out from afar, visibly worried about my argument with Spain.


Furiously wiping the tears away with my sleeve, I shook my head. "It's nothing, fratello. I was uh, just mad at Spain for being a stupid tomato bastardo."


Past!Italy gave an understanding chuckle. "Ehehe~ I see, nothing far from usual, then!"

"Uhm...where are the others, then?" I asked, trying to avoid having him ask me any other questions about the conversation earlier.

Gesturing towards the door, Past!Italy spoke, "They're gathering downstairs, why don't we head down, as well?" He smiled, and turned to Spain. "You, too, Spain!"

The brown haired Spaniard looked less cheery than normal, but he nodded vigorously to mask his lack of enthusiasm. "Okay!"

Past!Italy went on ahead and went out into the hallway, beckoning us to follow him. I followed suit, and so did Spain.

And as the green-eyed Spaniard passed by me, I heard him speak in a softened tone,

"...I'm going to believe in you and your decisions, Romano. I just hope that whatever it is, it's what really makes you happy. I think that's what Ita would want."

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-Italy and Past!Japan