France's Daughter // Hetalia

Chapter Thirty-Three- The World I Once Knew (2)

Charlotte (Charlie, Lottie)

10PM

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I only came back when everyone left. 

Matthew took care of me until then. I let him into the cafe, and served him some sweets. I asked him general questions, ones that should seem apparent such as "You guys really live forever?" and "you really are one of them, too?". It's not as if my brain is still rejecting the idea of it all- it's just still a bit of a shock. 

He called Papa around 9:30, asking if everyone had left. When he revealed that I wanted to go home, Papa pushed everyone out as quickly as possible. Then, Matty walked me home. We barely spoke, but my eyes couldn't sway from his face. He, of all people, was the calmest out of anyone. Even when I broke down, he held me and told me everything would be alright. He didn't sugarcoat anything- which messed with me a little, but I was thankful for it. I'd rather be told the harsh truth than be treated like a child.

"Go on", he whispers as we stand outside, right in front of the door. "Whenever you're ready.."

I shakily set my hand on the doorknob, and push it open slowly. 

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France (Francis)

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"Charlie!", I cry, swinging my arms around her tightly. "Oh, I was so worried, mon cherie", I whisper, burying my face in her shoulder. 

"I'm fine, Papa", she whispers, rubbing my back.

Oh.. it's been so long since she's called me 'Papa'. I hug her tighter, not even bothering to say hello to Canada. I feel a bit bad- but all I can focus on is Charlotte. Eventually, she pulls away from me, and I give her a long frown. 

"Can you.. explain everything more clearly to me?", She asks, almost in a mumble as she fiddles with her thumbs. 

I smile as best I can, and wrap my arm around her, leading her to the kitchen. I prepared a lot of food for everyone- but after she ran off, nobody was in the mood to party. England is sat at the counter, and gives Charlie an acknowledging nod. 

"Sit, sit", I usher her to a seat, then go around the counter to face her. "...What would you like to know?"

She looks down, as if unsure of herself. I can't imagine what it must be like to face your own mortality like this. A truth like this is mind-boggling for a human- even the one's that already know about us. I'll wait as long as it takes for her to compose herself. I'll get her to understand- I mean, I have all the time in the world. 

"France?", She points at me. I nod. "England?", She points at Angleterre, who nods as well. "...What the fuck."

"Language!", England glares daggers at her, but she just ignores him. 

"Wait- wait- wait-", she waves her hands around frantically, eyebrows knitting together. "Alfred is America then."

"Oui."

"And- and Matthew is Canada"

"Oui", I say as Matthew walks into the kitchen, leaning against the counter with a faint smile playing on his lips. 

"Ivan is Russia?"

I shudder. "Oui."

"Feliciano is Italy?"

"Oui."

"Then what's Romano?"

"South Italy", England answers for me, and it's obvious he's getting a bit impatient.