Hetachains (Rewritten Hetalia Reader Insert)

chapter thirty-five

Chapter Thirty-Five

1500 Word Uno Game

Walking back into the main room, I felt light. Thinking back to before the meditation, all I could remember was a weight resting on my shoulders. A continuous force which pushed me to the ground with each step. Now I knew that weight was myself the whole time. And now that it was gone, I never wanted it back.

Gracie followed behind with a smile of her own. We didn't say much after I came back. She said she was happy I succeeded and I said it was a shitshow. After that, she gestured for me to leave the meditation room and so I did.

The moment I emerged from the hallway, a force ran into me. Arms instantly wrapped around my shoulders and a face buried itself into my hair.

"Oh thank god. I was beginning to think you'd be in there forever." Arthur said, arms tightening with the fearful statement.

You and me both, buddy.

Peeking from around Arthur's shoulder, I noticed Vladimir watching the scene with an amused grin. I expected a welcoming smile or expression of gratitude but got neither. The moment we made eye contact, he began to make kissy faces and forming hearts with his hands. My hand flicked a finger in his direction. A silent gasp left his throat, a mock offense that soon melted away to a comfortable smile.

Welcome back.

Glad to be back.

I raised a hand to lightly pat Arthur's back, "It's alright, Arthur. No need to be sad. I'm right here." I awkwardly pieced sentences together, not used to seeing the great nation in such a broken state. Instantly, he pushed himself back from me, covering any sense of vulnerability with the 'proper british manner' I'd come to expect.

"I was simply worried for your well-being is all! Can't have the only one holding the idiotic children back disappear, now can we." He added an annoyed grimace for extra effect, "Knowing Alfred, the cabin is probably devoid of all food and completely demolished. And that's only if he didn't get into a fight."

The image of a tattered cabin filled my head: throw pillows physically thrown across the ground, wrappers and dishes carelessly strewn over every possible surface, and a horrible stench of testosterone blanketing the whole building. I sent a mental apology to Tino then turned to Gracie.

"We still need to finish the other half of the ritual- er, ceremony?" I cringed slightly at the word choice, "Whatever it's called. Right?"

Gracie nodded, "Yes, once that's done you'll be able to inherit my powers and continue with whatever plan you come up with." She said it with a smile but the words still put a weight in my stomach. What kind of plan saves the whole world, literally?

I don't know. Maybe ask her since she's got all the fucking power.

She obviously doesn't have one.

And neither do we. What's the point?

I shook back to reality, deciding to table the whole plan conversation for later. We can make a plan once we know the cabin isn't literally on fire.

I held out a hand towards the door, "Let's get it over with then. I'm kind of over this whole thing."

~~~~

The sun had begun to set when we pulled up to the cabin. Peaceful colors striped clouds with pastel pinks and oranges as the giant ball of gas dipped below the horizon and a silent breeze rustled the leaves hovering over us on the limbs of towering trees.

Stepping out of the car, I felt a warmth of recognition. A feeling filled my chest like a hug as I stared at the cabin, a feeling of returning from a long journey. As though the last step to the end stood before me in all its wooden, not on fire glory. Everything was calm.