[Fanfic] The Kid: Chapter 21/24
Title: The Kid
Author/Artist: MoyaKite
Character(s) or Pairing(s): Mainly Prussia, Canada, Romano, and Freddy (little kid!OC), but almost everyone could end up in here eventually. (In this chapter: Freddy, Romano, America, and, in passing, Prussia, Canada, Italy, and Germany.) Also, Canada and Prussia are now sort of an item.
Rating: PG
Warnings: Cuteness, (some embarrassment), some unrequited puppy love, potential future character death, and underlying angst.
Summary: Simply put, Prussia goes backpacking across Europe and finds a kid. What sort of a dad would Prussia be, anyway?
Author's Notes: The original (which started on the kink meme) is here. I wrote an author's note explaining why I actually don't have time to write the bonus chapters just yet. I'm sorry for any confusion. Also, after this there are only three more chapters, so I was wondering whether all of you would rather wait for each new chapter or just have me post the others. (They're already up, basically; I'd just be setting them to public, rather than private.) I'm fine either way, but I want to do what my readers would most enjoy. Thank you all for your support; I'll try to write back to all of you when my laptop stops acting up!
Freddy watched the adults carry box after box into Mattie's-no, Dad's house. Now Freddy and Papa's house, too. Home to the Smith family! (Freddy had wanted to be a family of secret agents; what name was more secret agent-y than Smith?) That box was labeled books, as were the four that followed it; Demeter squirmed in Freddy's arms, but she'd wailed when he'd left her in the bathroom, and she wasn't allowed to roam around outside. He scooped her up like a baby, even though she was fat and heavy, and she curled against his chest.
Feli, West, and Uncle Al carried boxes labeled curios, cookware, misc-where was that box? Freddy tapped his foot, frowning as he tried to read all of the boxes rushing past. He'd only remembered it halfway through the plane ride over to Canada, and even though it was Uncle Al's plane, he hadn't been allowed in the cargo bay. That was one of his new plane words-Freddy had decided to become a pilot during the plane flight, even though it made Papa airsick.
There-Freddy's Special Things, written in his own handwriting! Lovino was carrying it-Freddy's tummy got fluttery, but he ran up to Lovino anyway.
“Lovino!” Freddy said. Lovino nearly dropped the box as he spun, looking for Freddy. “I need that box!”
“Your papa told me to put it in your room, and that's what I'm gonna do,” Lovino said, hefting the box back up onto his hip. “You're too little to carry it up all those stairs yourself.”
Freddy searched briefly for Papa-there, by the van, leaning against Dad for support, telling everyone where the boxes should go. Freddy frowned, turning back to Lovino, but Lovino was already on his way through the door.
“Wait!” Freddy shouted. “I really need something in that box!”
Feli paused in the doorway to watch, blocking Lovino's path. Freddy darted forward and held out Demeter. Feli took her, tilting his head to one side in confusion. West stopped midway between the van and the front door, and Freddy looked up at Lovino. All he could see was the box that blocked Lovino's face.
“Oh, fine,” Lovino said, kneeling down and setting the box on the cement path that led up to the door. Freddy swallowed as Lovino pulled out a knife and sliced the tape open. “What is it that you need so badly that you can't wait until we get to the top of the stairs?”
As soon as the box was open, Freddy dove forward, rummaging through its contents. Precious gifts, artwork-where was it? Where was it hiding?
Finally, his hands closed around it, buried beneath Piyopiyo and a top hat he used for magic tricks. He closed his eyes for a second, took a deep breath, and pulled it out of the box. He dropped down to one knee, like he'd seen people do in movies, and held out the little, velvet box.
“Ti amo, mi vuoi sposare?” Freddy asked. I love you; will you marry me? He realized after a split second that the box was still shut and pulled it back, fumbling with it until it was open. He checked to make sure that the ring was still there and held it out again. Several long moments passed before he dared to look up Lovino. Lovino was just-just gawking at him! Freddy looked down at the pavement again, licked his lips, and waited.
And waited.
“Well?” Feli asked, leaning over Freddy's shoulder. Freddy could hardly breathe. “I don't think he's joking, Lovino.”
“Feliciano! Butt out!” Lovino snapped. Freddy winced for a moment, hesitated, then slowly looked up at Lovino. He wasn't gawking any more, but he wasn't reaching to take the ring, and his expression was-was something that Freddy couldn't understand. Freddy felt his eyes start to sting, and he fought the feeling as hard as he could. Lovino smiled at him, but it was wistful, not happy.
“Grazie,” Lovino said, reaching over to ruffle his hair. “But you're five, Freddy.”
“I mean it!” Freddy said, knocking Lovino's hand away-it was condescending; it meant you're just a kid, and you don't know what you're talking about. Despite his best efforts, his lower lip trembled and tears began to bud in his eyes. He bit his lip to keep it from trembling, but it didn't stop the hurting in his chest. “I wanna marry you, Lovino!”
Lovino froze, his arm still outstretched. He started to look panicked as tears welled up in Freddy's eyes; he looked around frantically, like he was looking for somebody to save him.
“You always tell me that you love me!” Freddy said, hiccuping. “I thought-I th-thought that...” Freddy reached up to scrape the tears off. He hadn't been romantic enough. He hadn't proposed right. And now Lovino was never going to marry him! It felt like he'd been punched in the chest-he remembered that angry man, the one who'd shouted at him and broken his nose when he wouldn't stop stuttering. That pain had last for weeks. This felt like it would last forever. Freddy hiccuped once, and the dam broke; he started to sob.
“Hey, kiddo,” Uncle Al said, swooping down out of nowhere. Freddy tried to push him away, but he dropped the ring box, and Uncle Al pulled him in for a hug. Even though Freddy wriggled and wriggled, he couldn't get free. Finally, he gave up and went limp, hoping Uncle Al would drop him. Instead, Uncle Al patted his back. “It's okay, Freddy. Romano just doesn't know how to tell you that you have to be at least eighteen to get married.”
“Nuh uh!” Freddy said, sniffling.
“Here you do,” Uncle Al said, pulling back to set Freddy back on his feet, but he kept a grip on Freddy's shoulders. Freddy sniffed, searching Uncle Al's eyes for the truth. He looked serious-maybe it was actually true.
“But why?” Freddy asked. “I already love him. Why do I have to wait a bajillion years?”
Uncle Al sighed, but a smile tugged at one corner of his mouth.
“Sometimes laws don't make sense,” Uncle Al said. “But it wouldn't be heroic to break 'em, would it?”
Freddy sniffed and looked down at his shoes-the shoes Lovino had bought him-and he nodded, “Yeah,” he said, reluctantly, “Okay. I guess.”
Uncle Al clapped him on the shoulder, and Freddy looked up to see him flash Freddy a grin before standing up.
“Back to work!” he said. “All hands on deck!” He glanced at Lovino and narrowed his eyes. “Well, except Romano. I think he needs to chit chat with Freddy.”
“But-” Lovino began, but Feli had already gone inside, and West was picking his box up again. Lovino swallowed, then stooped down to pick up the ring box. He dusted it off on his pants, and made as though to give it back, but Freddy threw his hands up in the air.
“Hold onto it,” Freddy said quickly. “Until I turn eighteen. I'll do my very best to turn into a good husband for you, so you'd better not lose it!”
Lovino smiled, and this time he actually looked kind of happy.
“Whatever makes you happy,” Lovino replied. He tucked the box into his pants pocket and dusted off his hands. “Come on,” he said, hefting the box back up onto his hip. He shot Freddy a grin that made Freddy feel happy and nervous all at once. “Help me get you moved in!”
Chapter Guide: ( Ch. 1) ( Ch. 2) ( Ch. 3) ( Ch. 4) ( Ch. 5) ( Ch. 6) ( Ch. 7) ( Ch. 8) ( Ch. 9) ( Ch. 10) ( Ch. 11) ( Ch. 12) ( Ch. 13) ( Ch. 14) ( Ch. 15) ( Ch. 16) ( Ch. 17) ( Ch. 18) ( Ch. 19) ( Ch. 20) ( Ch. 21) ( Ch. 22) ( Ch. 23) ( Ch. 24)
Author/Artist: MoyaKite
Character(s) or Pairing(s): Mainly Prussia, Canada, Romano, and Freddy (little kid!OC), but almost everyone could end up in here eventually. (In this chapter: Freddy, Romano, America, and, in passing, Prussia, Canada, Italy, and Germany.) Also, Canada and Prussia are now sort of an item.
Rating: PG
Warnings: Cuteness, (some embarrassment), some unrequited puppy love, potential future character death, and underlying angst.
Summary: Simply put, Prussia goes backpacking across Europe and finds a kid. What sort of a dad would Prussia be, anyway?
Author's Notes: The original (which started on the kink meme) is here. I wrote an author's note explaining why I actually don't have time to write the bonus chapters just yet. I'm sorry for any confusion. Also, after this there are only three more chapters, so I was wondering whether all of you would rather wait for each new chapter or just have me post the others. (They're already up, basically; I'd just be setting them to public, rather than private.) I'm fine either way, but I want to do what my readers would most enjoy. Thank you all for your support; I'll try to write back to all of you when my laptop stops acting up!
Freddy watched the adults carry box after box into Mattie's-no, Dad's house. Now Freddy and Papa's house, too. Home to the Smith family! (Freddy had wanted to be a family of secret agents; what name was more secret agent-y than Smith?) That box was labeled books, as were the four that followed it; Demeter squirmed in Freddy's arms, but she'd wailed when he'd left her in the bathroom, and she wasn't allowed to roam around outside. He scooped her up like a baby, even though she was fat and heavy, and she curled against his chest.
Feli, West, and Uncle Al carried boxes labeled curios, cookware, misc-where was that box? Freddy tapped his foot, frowning as he tried to read all of the boxes rushing past. He'd only remembered it halfway through the plane ride over to Canada, and even though it was Uncle Al's plane, he hadn't been allowed in the cargo bay. That was one of his new plane words-Freddy had decided to become a pilot during the plane flight, even though it made Papa airsick.
There-Freddy's Special Things, written in his own handwriting! Lovino was carrying it-Freddy's tummy got fluttery, but he ran up to Lovino anyway.
“Lovino!” Freddy said. Lovino nearly dropped the box as he spun, looking for Freddy. “I need that box!”
“Your papa told me to put it in your room, and that's what I'm gonna do,” Lovino said, hefting the box back up onto his hip. “You're too little to carry it up all those stairs yourself.”
Freddy searched briefly for Papa-there, by the van, leaning against Dad for support, telling everyone where the boxes should go. Freddy frowned, turning back to Lovino, but Lovino was already on his way through the door.
“Wait!” Freddy shouted. “I really need something in that box!”
Feli paused in the doorway to watch, blocking Lovino's path. Freddy darted forward and held out Demeter. Feli took her, tilting his head to one side in confusion. West stopped midway between the van and the front door, and Freddy looked up at Lovino. All he could see was the box that blocked Lovino's face.
“Oh, fine,” Lovino said, kneeling down and setting the box on the cement path that led up to the door. Freddy swallowed as Lovino pulled out a knife and sliced the tape open. “What is it that you need so badly that you can't wait until we get to the top of the stairs?”
As soon as the box was open, Freddy dove forward, rummaging through its contents. Precious gifts, artwork-where was it? Where was it hiding?
Finally, his hands closed around it, buried beneath Piyopiyo and a top hat he used for magic tricks. He closed his eyes for a second, took a deep breath, and pulled it out of the box. He dropped down to one knee, like he'd seen people do in movies, and held out the little, velvet box.
“Ti amo, mi vuoi sposare?” Freddy asked. I love you; will you marry me? He realized after a split second that the box was still shut and pulled it back, fumbling with it until it was open. He checked to make sure that the ring was still there and held it out again. Several long moments passed before he dared to look up Lovino. Lovino was just-just gawking at him! Freddy looked down at the pavement again, licked his lips, and waited.
And waited.
“Well?” Feli asked, leaning over Freddy's shoulder. Freddy could hardly breathe. “I don't think he's joking, Lovino.”
“Feliciano! Butt out!” Lovino snapped. Freddy winced for a moment, hesitated, then slowly looked up at Lovino. He wasn't gawking any more, but he wasn't reaching to take the ring, and his expression was-was something that Freddy couldn't understand. Freddy felt his eyes start to sting, and he fought the feeling as hard as he could. Lovino smiled at him, but it was wistful, not happy.
“Grazie,” Lovino said, reaching over to ruffle his hair. “But you're five, Freddy.”
“I mean it!” Freddy said, knocking Lovino's hand away-it was condescending; it meant you're just a kid, and you don't know what you're talking about. Despite his best efforts, his lower lip trembled and tears began to bud in his eyes. He bit his lip to keep it from trembling, but it didn't stop the hurting in his chest. “I wanna marry you, Lovino!”
Lovino froze, his arm still outstretched. He started to look panicked as tears welled up in Freddy's eyes; he looked around frantically, like he was looking for somebody to save him.
“You always tell me that you love me!” Freddy said, hiccuping. “I thought-I th-thought that...” Freddy reached up to scrape the tears off. He hadn't been romantic enough. He hadn't proposed right. And now Lovino was never going to marry him! It felt like he'd been punched in the chest-he remembered that angry man, the one who'd shouted at him and broken his nose when he wouldn't stop stuttering. That pain had last for weeks. This felt like it would last forever. Freddy hiccuped once, and the dam broke; he started to sob.
“Hey, kiddo,” Uncle Al said, swooping down out of nowhere. Freddy tried to push him away, but he dropped the ring box, and Uncle Al pulled him in for a hug. Even though Freddy wriggled and wriggled, he couldn't get free. Finally, he gave up and went limp, hoping Uncle Al would drop him. Instead, Uncle Al patted his back. “It's okay, Freddy. Romano just doesn't know how to tell you that you have to be at least eighteen to get married.”
“Nuh uh!” Freddy said, sniffling.
“Here you do,” Uncle Al said, pulling back to set Freddy back on his feet, but he kept a grip on Freddy's shoulders. Freddy sniffed, searching Uncle Al's eyes for the truth. He looked serious-maybe it was actually true.
“But why?” Freddy asked. “I already love him. Why do I have to wait a bajillion years?”
Uncle Al sighed, but a smile tugged at one corner of his mouth.
“Sometimes laws don't make sense,” Uncle Al said. “But it wouldn't be heroic to break 'em, would it?”
Freddy sniffed and looked down at his shoes-the shoes Lovino had bought him-and he nodded, “Yeah,” he said, reluctantly, “Okay. I guess.”
Uncle Al clapped him on the shoulder, and Freddy looked up to see him flash Freddy a grin before standing up.
“Back to work!” he said. “All hands on deck!” He glanced at Lovino and narrowed his eyes. “Well, except Romano. I think he needs to chit chat with Freddy.”
“But-” Lovino began, but Feli had already gone inside, and West was picking his box up again. Lovino swallowed, then stooped down to pick up the ring box. He dusted it off on his pants, and made as though to give it back, but Freddy threw his hands up in the air.
“Hold onto it,” Freddy said quickly. “Until I turn eighteen. I'll do my very best to turn into a good husband for you, so you'd better not lose it!”
Lovino smiled, and this time he actually looked kind of happy.
“Whatever makes you happy,” Lovino replied. He tucked the box into his pants pocket and dusted off his hands. “Come on,” he said, hefting the box back up onto his hip. He shot Freddy a grin that made Freddy feel happy and nervous all at once. “Help me get you moved in!”
Chapter Guide: ( Ch. 1) ( Ch. 2) ( Ch. 3) ( Ch. 4) ( Ch. 5) ( Ch. 6) ( Ch. 7) ( Ch. 8) ( Ch. 9) ( Ch. 10) ( Ch. 11) ( Ch. 12) ( Ch. 13) ( Ch. 14) ( Ch. 15) ( Ch. 16) ( Ch. 17) ( Ch. 18) ( Ch. 19) ( Ch. 20) ( Ch. 21) ( Ch. 22) ( Ch. 23) ( Ch. 24)