Knotted Flags 15

Germany had rolled a pamphlet tight in his hands, squeezing it to form creases. He had fought tears these past ten minutes, sitting down across from the doors Italy and his baby were supposed to emerge from. Sickness rotted his stomach, thinking of his baby... his little angel bleeding. They had to save her. They had to keep her alive, she was just a couple minutes old. An innocent baby did not deserve this. Prussia had a hand on his brother's knee, trying to comfort him. The others sat in silence, watching each other and the doors. They had all seen it... blood bubbling from the baby's mouth like regurgitated milk. Ludwig went to unroll the pamphlet and begin tearing it up into small pieces when the door opened.

The doctor stood with the nurse that had held the baby in the room. He bowed his head in respect to the rest of them as Ludwig stood. Teeth clenched tight, his hands balled into fists. " What the hell have you done to my baby? " The nurse's eyes widened, and she sort of dodged behind the Englishman. The doctor held up a hand. " Mister Vargas, please, she didn't do anything... You might want to sit down though. " Ludwig's eyes widened, and Prussia spoke up. " Get your ass over here West. I wanna hear what happened. " Doitsu looked behind him to his brother. Worry had made new lines on his face, and Prussia held out a hand. He moved back to the group, doctor and nurse moving closer to speak to them all.

" Something was eating away her insides. It was ingested orally by the mother, slipped into her amniotic fluid, and she swallowed it. We believe it is a sort of enzyme, which speeds up chemical processes. It had to have been enhanced for this purpose... I've never seen anything like it. It tore holes in her esophagus and stomach lining, along with part of her intestines. " The doctor looked down some, taking off his glasses to rub the bridge of his nose. " We, did everything we could. She lost too much blood. " Ludwig's entire body felt limp. All the blood in his face left. His voice was a mere whisper, blue eyes searching for a lie. " M-my baby's dead? " The doctor nodded solemnly, the nurse behind him with her eyes low.

Prussia went to wrap his arms around Ludwig's waist. " Mein bruder... I'm sorry. " But Germany didn't seem to respond. He couldn't wrap his mind around it. The baby he talked to, read books to, felt move inside of Italy... was never to be. Hungary tucked her face into Austria's neck, who held her close. Spain snuggled up to Romano, who saw the southern Italian's chin trembling. Japan's jaw dropped in a moment of surprise... then bowed his head and whispered a soft prayer for the little soul. Poland looked just as muted as Germany, but knew the worst was yet to come. Telling Italy.

Ludwig didn't even cry, not yet anyway. He looked down to his hands as Prussia let go of him, the doctor and nurse going back inside the doors to fetch the birth and death certificate. He spoke softly to Gilbert, who rolled closer to hear him whisper. " I didn't even get to hold her. " Prussia nodded, setting a hand back on that knee. " I know, bruder... I know. " Germany's eyes then attracted themselves to the pointer finger that had stroked her warm cheek.

She was so soft... his downy angel. She had his hair, blonde as could be. She was part of him. And then the tears began. Poland got up to find a tissue box as Ludwig's chest shook, hiding his face in his hands. His cheeks were wet almost instantly. " My babyeeeeaaAAAHHHHHH! " His two words began soft before turning into a pained scream. It echoed down the semi-deserted hallway, nurses looking up and guessing another death in the maternity ward. The nations hung their heads with the father's loud, hard sobbing that followed afterward.

~~~~~~~~~

Italy was taken back to his room, grinning widely. Oh he couldn't wait to see his baby. He passed the room filled with glass cradles, by now the cradle meant for their daughter filled with another bouncing tot. Those great brown eyes searched for the sweet blonde hair.. but didn't see it. Maybe she's already with Doitsu in their room! The male nearly died of excitement before he got to the hospital room. Everyone except Prussia, Japan, and Germany were gone, and all the decorations were tore down and thrown into the garbage can. Feliciano was beaming still though, guessing the doctor told him they could go home earlier since the decor disappeared. The nurse left the wheelchair and quickly left the room. " DOITSU! Doitsu where is she!? I want to hold her! "

His arms extended towards the German, making grabby hands. But Ludwig wasn't holding their infant. Blue eyes went up to Italy's and he gasped softly. They looked so pained, even a bullet to the head looked less agonizing then that. His hair was messed up, as if the gel had been forgotten today. Italy tried to stand from his wheelchair, but the stitches in his body wouldn't let him. Eyes went to Kiku, who had thrown all the baby stuff in a box donated by the hospital. " Japan, what...? " The Asian winced, as if fighting tears, dark eyes going to Ludwig. " Doitsu-san... Please. "

Germany kept his eyes on Italy. Their baby could have had those eyes that looked back to him, now wide with worry. Doitsu stood from his chair, instantly feeling dizzy but ignoring it. He knelt down at Italy's side and took both of his hands. " Whatever Russia put in your mouth... you swallowed, didn't you? " Feli slowly nodded, which spurred Germany to continue. " Whatever he fed you went to her. And... she didn't make it. " Feliciano leaned back in his chair, trying to see a smile on Germany's face that lead to a joke. But the look in his eyes.

" Doitsu, you're lying. Please, let me see our baby... " His hands went to take the German's cheeks, but Ludwig smacked him away firmly. And Italy saw those tears begin followed by sharp sniffs. He ever rarely saw the man cry, but right now it was the worst sight possible. He hid his face in his hands once more, and he managed to speak between suppressed noises. " I c-couldn't protect you. She's gone because of me. " Prussia started to speak, but Japan set a hand on his shoulder and shook his head. Now was not the time for Gilbert's, personality...

Feliciano just couldn't digest it. Watching Germany cry was heartbreaking, and he easily slid from his wheelchair to the floor. " D-Doitsu... " He held out his arms some, and the blonde quickly scooped the Italian to his chest. Squeezing him gently he rubbed that tear stained face into his shoulder. Damn hospital dress didn't absorb anything. Italy's arms wrapped around the German, but he didn't feel the urge to cry. His face nuzzled into the German's neck, rubbing his back gently. " I want to see her. " Doitsu leaned back, his brow lowered in confusion. " Y-You...? " Italy nodded. " I want to see my baby. "