GerIta- Goodbyes

         I felt my body go limp. Strong arms enveloped me, and I could smell blood and sweat. The gunshots in the distance faded out, and a white flag went up.

         I moaned in pain as I tried to sit up. A searing pain shot through my body, and I collapsed back onto the bed that I had woken up on.

        "Lie down, Italy. Your body is still recovering," a rough voice said. The voice belonged to my best friend, Germany. I felt him gently grab my shoulders and push me back into a reclining position. He softly brushed his lips across my forehead. To some, this would have been a subtle gesture of affection, but to us it was an intimate exchange of love.

        "What happened?" I murmured tiredly. The previous night had been completely obliterated from my memory.

        Germany squeezed my shoulder and sat down next to me. "We were spying on the Allies camp, remember? Well, we were caught by a surprise ambush. Five armies against the two of us. Luckily, Japan got brought help, but not as soon as I would've liked. We had to surrender, and America offered a hospital for you. I'm still amazed you woke up so quickly; you were shot three times."

        My eyes widened in shock. "I was shot?!" I exclaimed, bolting upright, screaming when the pain hit me.

        "Easy there, Italy. We were cornered, and I was doing everything I could to keep them at bay. I... I couldn't get to you before America... You really don't remember anything, huh?" Germany's concern was comforting and worrying at the same time. I closed my eyes and leaned into him.

       "Will I live?" I asked quietly.

       "Will you?"

       I cringed as I felt the healing wounds tear, and the blood start to flow. I smiled sadly and shook my head. I could see tears forming in his beautiful blue eyes. He leaned in, and we kissed. It was a loving goodbye kiss, where we conveyed all of the feelings that neither of us could say.

       "Ich liebe dich, Italia," he whispered into my ear.

       "Ti amo, Germany."

       Germany smiled warmly at me, and I felt a teardrop fall onto my face. He turned, and left the hospital room.

       I do not believe in reincarnation, but I know this isn't the end.