We Are Zodiac (Hetalia Fanfic)

Chapter Twenty-Six

RECAP:

 "And that's Germany," Arthur supplied after the German's door had slammed shut.

"Uh... I... What?" Galilea stuttered.

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"So, you fought in wars centuries ago?" Galilea eagerly asked Poland the next day as they hauled water in buckets to fill the troughs.

The blond nodded, really unable to do anything else with his hands full. 

"Were you ever injured?" Again, he nodded, though this time he set his bucket down and lifted up the back of his stained white shirt to reveal a patchwork of scars crossing over his pale skin. Galilea sucked in a breath and let it out as she took in the sight of so many ancient wounds that had healed over.

"... I think I'm seeing you in a whole new light now, Felyks," she admitted. "More of a respectful one, though!" Galilea assured him quickly, laughing a bit awkwardly. 

He dropped his shirt and adjusted it before giving her a reassuring smile and scribbling something on his notepad. 'Doesn't mean much anymore. Friends still?'

She managed to put on a genuine smile, which she was out of practice with. "Of course."

~

Germany sighed, supporting his gun on his shoulder while he looked out over the top of the huge steel wall he was currently residing on. Such was the daily life of a guardsman in this odd, dystopian society.

'Zhere vas a show zhat Japan liked a while ago... Somezhing to do vith a city inside of valls, too, I zhink. Zhis reminds me of zhat a little bit' he thought, strolling along the precipice idly. So far, there hadn't been any sightings of the Zodiac since yesterday. That made for a boring day, though it wasn't like Germany was eager to slay any of the somewhat humanoid creatures. Just the opposite.

Mary was right about one thing, at least: the Zodiac had some semblance of humanity somewhere inside of them. After all, Italy had definitely recognized him on that beach, hadn't he? That island held a good deal of special meaning to the two of them, so it would make at least a little sense. 

The strict German frowned deeply, for once lost in thought. 'I miss zhe two of you...'

But that was enough longing. Germany had a job to do, and he would perform it well.

Near the end of the day, a sunburnt and somewhat irritated German walked down the steps to the ground and checked in his weapon on time before heading to the mess hall for dinner. Thank goodness he had the day shift, which allowed him to relax during the evening. 

"I told you to pick that up!"

His head whipped toward the angry sound's source. Around the side of a building, he could see the backside of someone who wore a pressed dress shirt and neat black slacks. He seemed to be kicking someone with clean shoes, and somehow it seemed like he wasn't being very kind. Germany grumbled something unintelligible under his breath and stormed toward them, ready to defend someone if necessary.

As the German drew nearer, he saw more and more of the situation. An older man was crouching, trying to pick up the scattered fruit he'd been carrying in a basket that now lay upside down in the grass. The younger one in nice clothing was kicking at the white-haired man's hands, most likely fracturing bones with the heel of his shoes.

"Excuse me, but vhat is going on here?" Germany exclaimed angrily as he rounded the corner fully and stood sturdily between the two men. 

"I wouldn't get in the way, unless you want to be declared obsolete," the younger man sneered viciously. "Now walk away and pretend you never saw anything."