Someone always gets left behind.
I don't own Ludwig, Feliciano, Romano, Grandpa Roma, Antonio or any other character from Hetalia; they belong to Hidekazu Himaruya.
I only own Klaus, Martin, and Jan.
** this gif is from my favourite show X Company (GO WATCH IT RN) and don't imagine this being Feli crying when he cries in this chapter, whatever you do bc it'll break u**
~ Outside a train station ~
Romano had had only two days to adjust, get the wild look out of his eyes, and find some civilian clothes. This had to happen today, it was their only chance. Feliciano stood beside him, tapping his foot nervously as they waited for Ludwig to meet them.
Their train left at 4:30 sharp, just after a thorough check by the German guards on duty. That was their window of opportunity. During the check, they'd quickly find their way to the passenger car and be allowed on by a man named Eduard, who was what Ludwig had said was a friend but Romano had scoffed and said he didn't have friends.
This was true. Ludwig just continued with the rundown of the plan.
Eduard would get them settled and they'd be asked for their identification papers by the guards. They would act normal and hopefully this would be the deciding factor. They would either be recognized and captured or dismissed and granted freedom.
Once they were across the Germany-Switzerland border, they would be safe.
Romano kicked a pebble and frowned. Now it just had to work.
~
"Where the hell is this bastard?" Romano grunted in frustration. The train could be heard pulling into the station in the distance. "We're going to miss the damn train. I told you, I told you he's a fraud."
"Romano, please.." Feliciano begged, closing his eyes. "He'll be here."
Romano scoffed and shook his head. "He'll be here, my ass. He left us here to be caught. There's no plan, we're screwed. Do you hear me? Screw--"
"Ludwig!" Feliciano gasped as he spotted the German making his way across the street. "I told you he would be here."
Ludwig approached them and gave Feliciano a discreet peck on the cheek, ignoring the grumbling Romano beside him. "I'm sorry, I know I'm late. Look," He took an envelope out of his jacket pocket and held it tightly. "There's some money and the tickets and.. You have your papers?"
"Yes." Feliciano smiled softly. "Do you have yours?"
Ludwig swallowed dryly and flicked his gaze over to Romano who snatched the envelope and opened it, pulling out the two tickets to check their seats.
"Two tickets..?" Feliciano felt his throat closing up and he snapped his eyes up to Ludwig. "No.."
"Feli, we have to go. Now." Romano began to walk away but his brother wouldn't move.
"No. No, no, this isn't -- You have to come with us." He breathed shakily as his chest rose and fell unevenly, eyes full of emotions and tears. "Ludwig, you--"
"Feli, I mean it, now! We have to go, we can't miss our chance." Romano grabbed Feliciano's arm and started to pull him away.
Ludwig bit his lip and knit his eyebrows together as he looked directly at the Italian. "I can't go with you. I'm sorry." He choked on the last few words and looked down.
"NO! Ludwig!" Feliciano felt his brother clamp a hand over his mouth, the guards in the station would want to know what the commotion was all about. "Stop- Stop it!" He shoved Romano off of him and ran forward, pulling Ludwig into the privacy of the train station walls before kissing him desperately.
Ups! Ten obraz nie jest zgodny z naszymi wytycznymi. Aby kontynuować, spróbuj go usunąć lub użyć innego.
"I can't.." Feliciano whispered. "I can't leave you."
Ludwig let out a tiny sob and squeezed his eyes shut, forcing the rest of his soft wails down. He had to be strong, he couldn't break down now.
"Shh.." He kissed Feliciano's forehead and gripped his hair gently in his hand. "You have to go. Now, Feliciano... I need you to be safe. It's okay, stop crying. Go. Go now."
The Italian shook his head and felt heavy tears trail down his cheeks.
"Feliciano, when this is over..." Ludwig paused and looked away. "If I am still alive--"
"Don't say that." Feliciano cupped his face in his hands and turned him to look at him. "You'll be alive..."
Ludwig bit his lip and tried to hide the fear and doubt in his eyes but he knew the Italian saw it.
"If," He continued, "If I am... I will come find you. Be safe for me." He pecked his lips between every few words. "Be good... Stay safe... Get a job... Live your life..."
Feliciano sobbed softly. "No.. No, no, no.." He whispered.
"This is goodbye for now, Feli." Ludwig stepped back from the shaking Italian who tried to reach for him but he stepped back, onto the busy sidewalk. "Ich liebe dich."
"Ludwig!"
The German had already turned and ran across the street. Romano gripped his brother's shoulder and dragged him away, towards the train where there was little time left for them to board. Eduard stood in the doorway and rushed them on to the car, looking as nervous as Romano felt.
Feliciano let the tears dry on his cheeks as he looked out the window, kept his eyes down when the German soldier took his identification and looked him over. He closed his eyes as the train began to move and knew he should feel free but his chest was heavy and his heart was sunken low.
He didn't even look back.
~
Switzerland greeted them with a cold breeze and soldier-free streets. Feliciano could feel the tension melt out of Romano when the train stopped at their station. He wished he could feel it too.
They got off the train and walked into the busy station, searching for the man they'd been told to wait for. He approached them with a cocky smile but his statement said otherwise.
"Let's go. This isn't over yet." He lead them to a black car and helped them quickly pile in with their meager belongings.
His hair was a stark white and his reddish eyes startled Feliciano. Romano just wondered how someone could be so pale. The Italians sat silently in the back while the man drove.
"No time for formalities?" Romano asked, a hint of annoyance in his tone.
"Ah," He smiled and laughed quietly. "Of course, how rude of me."
Romano raised an eyebrow at him, hoping he'd move the matter along.
"Gilbert." He announced and Feliciano's stomach flipped. "Gilbert Beilschmidt."
~
A/N: woo, two updates in one night! I just knew I needed to put something better out there for you guys. Anyway here's a much more interesting chapter than the last. Hopefully, I'll be able to start updating more often now. But here we go, this rollercoaster of a story isn't over yet ;)
