[Table Challenge] - Romania/Norway - Random/14
Title: [untitled]
Author: kahlanaisling
Claim: RomNor
Character(s): Romania, Norway
Table/Prompt: Random/14 -- Wounds
Word Count: 531
Rating: G
Summary: It's never going to happen again. Heta Oni AU. Originally for Hetachallenge, dedicated to Espadaknight4.
"It's our fault, isn't it?"
"It isn't actually."
"Except that it is." Romania takes a deep breath and clenches his fist, the shadow of the mansion looming in the distance. One would think that on a day like today, weeks after everyone's disappearance, the final rescue would be sunny and well-lit and cheerful. It's not. It's dark and cloudy, and he can smell rain in the air.
Around them are cheerful reunions, family and friends greeting each other and crying tears of joy. Just ahead, he can see Hungary and Austria giving Prussia some mix of a total riot act and sobbing hugs. He should probably be over there with them. Prussia is a neighbor, after all, and they're pretty good friends. Bulgaria is hovering there in the background, trying to be noticed. He tries to catch Romania's eye from time to time, but Romania is ignoring him. He doesn't much want to be around people at the moment.
Norway, in turn, is ignoring that. "What makes it our fault?"
They're talking about England.
Romania doesn't have an answer. "Well," he begins, "if we'd been there--"
"You would have wanted to go. You would have dragged us along. The minute you realize why that is a better idea, please tell me, because I'm dying to know."
The sarcasm in his voice is heavy. Romania's a little taken aback by it. Blinking, he replies, "But if we'd been there, we would have been more powerful, gotten them out sooner--"
"You don't know that."
It's Norway's favorite phrase. You don't know that. He's used it many times to mean many things; usually, it means that Romania is an idiot who spouts bullshit instead of actual knowledge, which isn't true in the least. Sometimes it means that Norway knows something Romania doesn't. Other times it means that he's trolling. But today, Romania thinks it means something else.
Romania's eyes narrow. "What if I do?"
Norway huffs and averts his gaze, back to where England is standing with Sealand and Sweden and Finland, America hovering over them all protectively. "It's not worth taking chances."
"But maybe--"
"Stop."
Romania stops.
"You don't know what might have happened. I don't know what might have happened. For all we know, the three of us would have ended up dead. Clearly that's possible." His dark eyes manage to be icy, even in this light. "Or worse. One would be left behind."
Romania thinks about that for a minute. No, he's not all that fond of England, but after all this time, he can't imagine life without him or Norway.
"Maybe it would be you. Or me. And that would be. . . difficult, to say the least."
Especially not Norway.
It just doesn't work.
Suddenly Norway's words seem slightly more loaded, and he's kind of at a loss for words. This is bothersome to him, he doesn't like not knowing what to say -- it means he can't express his point, his opinion, and gives his partner power over him. So he ends up just repeating, "Difficult?"
"Don't make me say it."
Any other time he probably would. This time, he decides against it.