a/n: So, this story is co-written by me and two other brilliant writers on TinierMe, but perhaps not so much co-written as RP-ed, haha. The beginning might be a tad confusing at first, because it occurred as we slowly branched away from the main RP, but you'll see that it becomes more self-contained as we go on. I've tried to edit it as to not make it as confusing. We're only introducing Feliciano and Lovino right now, but Ludwig and Gilbert will be showing up soon, along with the plot.

One hundred and fifty years of unification.

A seemingly slight feat for others proved a significant achievement for those sheltered underneath it.

This was the year.

Thus it was quite a difficult feat to focus knowing such. When slightly tanned hands fumbled through the handout sent previously the night before in such zeal and undisguised amusement, it was immensely difficult to concentrate on the miniscule conversations developing between the other fellow nations. Looking gently over the conference room, confirming a lack of activity, the brunette carefully withdrew a single slice of tiramisu from a placed leather bag beside him, teetering a fork between his index and forefinger before mumbling a simple, "Happy Birthday" to himself a consecutive five months early.

A now present brawl seemed to ensue as the younger Italian's certain brother had seemed to have lost it for a moment. Not that it wasn't a frequent event, however, the younger knew that the elder could have a chance at more friends if he let his barriers down a tiny bit.

Placing the silver fork down, protecting his precious treasure all around with the handouts he had not cared to read, he approached the tension happening shortly away from his now abandoned seat. Lacing fingers together around the front of Lovino's suit, he pulled gently as to attract a slight reaction from the other.

Attempts had failed before but, he was hoping to omit a reaction from the other as he pursued the current focus of his day.

"Only five more months, fratello."

Romano saw his stupid younger brother feasting on a rather good looking tiramisu. Hm, and not even saving a piece for a beloved older brother? Damn him, he really is stupid isn't he?

Suddenly, he felt someone grabbing at him and mumbling something. It couldn't have been Spain- he was clearly across the room, still talking to France. Preparing to beat the living hell out of whoever dared to touch him, he turned around furiously, but all of these emotions vanished when he saw his younger brother's calm expression. He blushed at his stupid twin's open affection. "What the hell are you doing?" he said, but not too harshly. He knew how sensitive Feliciano was. "What do you want?" The embarrassed Italian nudged Feliciano off of him with his elbow. Romano was still upset that his fratello didn't save a piece of tiramisu for him. Did they have more at home? Well it didn't matter, since he wanted to eat one now.

The laced fingers buried in the beige-coloured cloth of Romano's uniform formed into a clasped sort of fashion. The younger sighed heavily, trying to shift his hands to a more comfortable position while being pressed against his own brother's squirming body. It had seemed nothing had really started of late, and his own precious treasure had seemed to not be touched as he glanced carefully over to redeem that fact.

Being left still, the Italian rested his body weight against his elder, half asleep due to an immense amount of drinking he had done last night. A glass of water and some medication the night of can kill a hangover, but, the slight awkwardness of it still remains the morning after.

His thoughts seemed to run a one-track mind today, and while the allure of the Italian cake was an easy distraction, the auburn followed his original frame of mind.

"Fratello, it's only five months away you know."

Romano scoffed, still feeling uncomfortable being so close to Feliciano. He turned his head and rested his eyes on the top of his younger brother's head, using one of his 'are-you-stupid?' expressions. "Hah? Five months is a long time from now, if you didn't know that. Things like that don't matter. You really are stupid!"

He glanced down at his half eaten tomato. It didn't feel as firm as it used to. The juices were dripping down, and a thin goo formed around the tender areas of the tomato, which made it not as appetizing to eat.

Romano felt a little better being embraced by the person closest to him... Agh! No, this is stupid. His tomato had gone bad because of him. "Damn it, Feliciano! What the hell is wrong with you?" he yelled, nudging Feliciano a little harder than before to ensure his freedom. His eyes fell again onto the small dish of cake set on his brother's place at the table, and mind always quick to search for criticism, he asked "Aren't you going to offer me a piece?"

Feliciano pulled back quickly. Confusion struck at the comments his brother has been leaving. "I-I offered you a piece before we left," he allowed a pregnant pause to elevate between the conversation before notifying the occurrences of attempted and failed order among the room.

Glancing briefly at the lack of order, fuddled by his own thoughts blocking out the conversations of the room, he retreated back to his precious cake in the fake pretense that the meeting may have started without a few individuals.

Beckoning to the seat besides him, he notified his brother to join him. "If it is bothering you that much, you can have the rest."

Romano stretched his stiff arms and rotated his shoulders in small circular motions. He looked at his brother. Yes, he remembered. He was in a bad mood this morning for no apparent reason and snapped at Feliciano when he offered. Might as well deny it; he didn't want his stupid little brother to think that he was stupid. "...Y-You didn't offer me a piece before we left, stupid. Even if you did, I probably didn't hear you. You should speak up when you're talking to people!" Once Romano was done chastising Feliciano he took a seat next to him.

To be honest, by now Romano didn't want to eat the rest of his brother's cake, but if he didn't, Feliciano would think that he was going soft on him or something, right? No way! He was way tougher than his stupid little brother.

"Hmph!" Romano grabbed the small fork and ate the piece of cake silently, wanting to leave some behind for Feliciano. It was good... but of course he would never compliment his brother about such things. Or anything, for the matter.