Chapter Four ~ Below the Belt

“Prussia!”

“What are you-a doing?!”

“She’s hurt, you dummkopf!”

“Shut up!” Prussia growls at them, before turning his burning, red eyes back to you. You gulp, you’ve never been on the receiving end of Prussia’s glare before he does look a little demonic.

“The Hell is vrong vith you?!” He growls glaring down at you, “You totally ignored vhat I said!”

The tension in the room is thick as everyone observes Prussia’s and your interaction. You gulp nervously. You want to tell him to let you go and yell at him for being a moron and nearly getting him and Germany killed. But you just can’t when he’s glaring at you like that. You stare back, trying not to look intimidated.

“Vell?!” Prussia demanded, his hands gripping your shoulder tighter. Your shoulders ache in protest to the treatment but you fight off any visual reaction. You don’t want to give him any more ammunition, “Are you an idiot, San Marino? You could have died! It hurt Germany and I, hurt us! You’re just a micronation, what did you think you were doing going up-”

You hate it when other countries point out that you’re a micronation. You’re the oldest republic. You’ve been independent almost exclusively since you declared independence. No one has any right to belittle you just because you’re small!

“You’re just a micronation as well!” You fire back, regretting it the moment you say it. Italy gives a little gasp, his eyes open and wide. Germany and Japan stiffen. You really shouldn’t have said that.

His grip on your shoulder tightens and he leans in closer, “Vhat did you say?” He growls.

“N-nothing! I’m sorry... I didn’t mean it....” You try, feeling the fight drain out of you.  

“Nein! Clearly you meant something!” His eyes are practically glowing with rage.

“It’s not fair to belittle me like that!-” You try to explain but he cuts you off.

“Belittle you!” He repeats mockingly, “San Marino, when’s the last time you were in a war? When’s the last time you had a real fight? It’s because of me that Germany’s here! What have you accomplished in your life, huh?! All you do is hide in your corner and stay out of-”

“How dare you!” You screech, thrashing as much as you can. Your ribs and shoulders ache at the moment but you’re too mad to care, “There’s nothing wrong with staying out of wars! My people haven’t suffered because of my stupidity! The only time my people have been hurt is when idiots like you decide not to respect my neutrality! Don’t lord it over me that you caused your own absorption into Germany! I’m still independent, without getting involved in any wars!!”

The two of you have a stare down. You don’t know what you’re supposed to say. What you just said was hitting considerably under the belt. But then, so was what Prussia said. Both of your glares soften as you realize that you both have been pulling low punches.

“I just wanted to help....” You mumble quietly, looking away from Prussia’s burning eyes to the floor. His grip on your shoulders slackens slightly, “Germany was injured and you didn’t look like you were going to last much longer... I just wanted to be useful for once...Y-you’re right... I’m weak... I’m useless... I haven’t ever accomplished anything... I just wanted to... just this once...” You want to cry. Your eyes burn with the need but you repress it. You already look weak enough without adding tears.

Prussia’s grip is almost gone completely. You tilt your head to look at him and are surprised by what you see. He’s hanging his head, and you think you see guilt in his eyes.

“I shouldn’t have said that, San Marino,” he apologizes quietly, “You’re not useless and you’re not weak. It was wrong of me to say that. Out of all of us, you’re the one who always keeps her head....” He sighs, “You just scared me. Ahaha...” He laughs drily, “You managed to scare the awesome me,” he ruffles your hair, “That’s a feat. I thought I was going to have to...” His voice drops off and his eyes dart to Italy, “Just don’t let happen again, alright?”

Prussia lets you go and backs up as you nod your head in agreement. Italy rushes forward the moment Prussia’s grip on you is gone. You’re suddenly in Italy’s arms and you can feel your face radiating heat.

“You-a scared me, Marino!” He wails, his arms wrapping tight around you.

You want to enjoy the moment but his arms settle around your bruised sides and ribs. You gasp in pain as he squeezes you. It’s like your midsection is on fire. Your initial reaction is to scream, but you manage to repress that and only gasp. Suddenly his grip on you is lax, “Ahhh! Germany! What did I-a do! I hurt Mari!” He wails, appalled.

Germany stomps over, practically shoving Italy away from you, “Her ribs are probably bruised, dummkopf,” he snaps.

Italy flails dramatically trying to catch his balance, “I’m-a sorry, bella!” He wails when he catches his balance.

“Lift up your shirt, San Marino,” Germany demands brusquely.

Your cheeks turn bright pink at his command and Germany’s does too when he realizes what he just asked.

“S-so ah, I c-can assess the d-damage!” He fumbles, looking anywhere but at you.

“B-but!” You begin to protest not wanting to expose yourself in front of them.

“Just raise your shirt, already!” Prussia snaps, back to being cranky. At least he’s not being apologetic that was weird and out of character for Prussia.

The look in Prussia’s eyes says that if you don’t do it, he’ll do it for you. And if the look you’re receiving from Japan is any indication, he’d probably help Prussia. So instead of letting them resort to violence you dutifully raise your shirt to expose your stomach.

There’s a collective gasp as your stomach is exposed. Already there are bruises forming and they look as bad as they feel. You bite your lip at the sight then smooth your shirt back down, carefully, to avoid aggravating your bruises.

“Are you-a okay, Mari?” Italy asks, moving back into your personal space but keeping his hands to himself.

“I-it doesn’t hurt too bad...” You say, telling a little white lie to spare everyone’s feelings. It’s not like there’s anything anyone can do so you’re better off just downplaying the pain.

Italy’s eyes narrow slightly, as if detecting your lie. Your eyes widen a little.

((Since when can Italy read the atmosphere?))

Not wanting to give anyone the chance to call you out on your lie, you ask, “Is everyone okay?”

Prussia and Germany say they’re alright but you’re worried about Germany’s forehead. There’s nothing you can do about it now, so you decide to wait until you’re in a situation to do something about it.

“Yep, we’re-a alright!” Italy chirps, “But I’m-a so-a relieved now! You-a two ran away really-a fast, so I’d-a been-a wondering what-a had-a happened to-a you.”

“I am rearry grad that everyone is aright. Now, what are we going to do from here?” Japan asks. He’s got a contemplative look on his face. You can see him trying to plan out what your next move is going to be.

“Yeah. The Thing could show up here again, so we should move to a room that is as safe as possible. Besides, if the five of us stick together, it von’t be so scary,” Prussia says. He doesn’t sound mad at you anymore but he still sounds alarmingly serious.

“Good idea, Prussia!! Now , let’s search for a room that looks as safe as possible. And let’s not split up, of course.”

“You guys... shouldn’t we be looking for a way out...?” You ask. Everyone turns to look at you.

“The front-a doors won’t-a open.”

“Yes, and we haven’t found any other exits,” Japan explains.

“What about the windows?” You ask, tilting your head to the side.

Everyone stares at you before collectively slapping their foreheads. Italy doesn’t, you can’t read his expression but you’re pretty sure he just hasn’t figured it out yet.

“Of course!” Prussia exclaims, pumping one fist in the air, “Vhy didn’t I think of that?”

“Vhat was that?”

“Nothing!” You smile.

Prussia rushes up to you and the next thing you know, you’re on his back, “Come on you guys! To freedom!” He yells and races out.

The sudden burst of speed almost knocks you off his back. You have to wrap your arms around his neck to keep from flying off. His arms are hooked under your knees for added balance. Japan, Italy, and Germany are hot on your heels, racing after you.  

“Vait! You moron!”

“Be carefur with San Marino-san!”

“Si! Don’t-a run so-a fast! She might-a fall!”