PrussiaXItaly- Don't Fear The Reaper

Prussia was laying in his bed. He knew he didn't have much longer as a country. He was going to disappear soon, but he wasn't afraid. He knew it was coming anyway. No, the only thing he feared was hurting Germany, and worst of all, Italy. Italy had lost two people already and now he was about to lose Prussia. He sighed sadly, looking at the window.

He turned his head when he heard his bedroom door open. He smiled when he saw Germany standing there.

"West, come over here," he said and Germany walked over to him. He pulled a chair over and sat down.

"You know I don't have much longer, right?"

"Ja. Italy doesn't know, does he?"

"Nein. I haven't told him yet," Prussia said, staring at the ceiling, "He just thinks I'm sick and that I'll get better soon."

"You need to tell him."

"I know. May I ask you something?" Prussia asked as he looked at him. Germany nodded.

"Will you look after Italy for me after I'm gone? I don't want him to do something he'll regret."

"Ja... I will."

"Danke."

They sat in silence for a while. Germany got up and walked to the door, hiding his face from his older brother.

Later, Italy came over. He smiled at Prussia as he sat down.

"Ciao Prussia. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," he said as he sat up. He began to cough. He covered his mouth, tasting the metallic tang of blood. He pulled his hands away and grabbed a tissue to clean his hands off. He looked at Italy, who was staring at him with wide eyes. Prussia looked at his hands as he cleaned them.

"I guess you know now..."

"How much longer do you have... How much longer until you cease to exist?" Italy asked, tears welling up in his eyes.

"I don't know... I just know it's very little time."

Italy began to cry and Prussia pulled him close. Italy clung to him, sobbing against his chest. Prussia sighed and rubbed his back, trying to soothe him.

"Don't leave me! Please, don't leave me Prussia!"

"I'm sorry," Prussia said. Italy looked at him and Prussia kissed his forehead.

"Be strong for me Italy. Be strong."

---

Italy visited everyday. Finally, the day came. Prussia was coughing up so much blood. Italy just stared at his knees.

"Hey, Italy?"

"Yes?"

"Come lay beside me," Prussia said and Italy crawled under the covers with him. Prussia held him close. Italy held his tears back, trying hard not to cry.

"I don't want you to go."

"I don't want to go either. But I have too."

Italy looked up at him, his amber eyes shimmering with the tears he held back. Prussia kissed him, a long, sweet kiss.

"Ich liebe dich."

"Ti amo tibbo."

They stayed like that for hours. When Italy fell asleep, a wind blew through the open window.

"Don't be afraid," Prussia whispered to himself. He kissed Italy's forehead.

He began to disappear, slowly. He stared at Italy, looking at him for as long as he could.

"Don't be afraid Italy," he whispered, "Be strong for me. Ich liebe dich. I will always be with you..."

He kissed Italy's forehead one last time before disappearing completely. Italy opened his eyes, keeping the tears back.

"I'll be strong... Ti amo Prussia. I'll love you forever."

Germany walked in and Italy looked at him sadly. He sat up as Germany walked over.

"So he's really gone?"

"Si," Italy said. He was unable to hold the tears back any longer. He began to cry.

"I said I would be strong... But it's so hard!" Italy cried and Germany sat down and pulled him close. Tears fell from his eyes as well.

"It's okay. We'll get through this," Germany said. That promise hung over them, heavy and silent, in the room of the country that ceased to exist.