A/N: Got inspired to do a couple chibitalia inspired one-shots focusing on the various countries raising their colonies/underlings. There'll be a couple of England/America ones, Spain/Romano, and of course various moments with Italy/Holy Rome/Austria. This first one to kick off the series is a Austria/Italy. If anyone has any they'd like to see, I'm totally open to suggestions! I'm tempted to do a France/Seychelles one, since he sorta raised her unofficially. But, idk. Are there any chibi stories you'd like to see? Just leave a review or pm me! Thanks for reading :)


He was woken up by a very familiar cry of distress. It was Italy. Austria sighed, running a hand over his face before forcing himself to get up and see what it was that was bothering his little underling. He'd normally leave such trivial matters to Miss Hungary, however she wouldn't be back until tomorrow and if he didn't tend to Italy himself he knew the child would never shut up.

As he walked down the hall towards the child's bedroom, Holy Rome poked his head out his bedroom door. "Hey, what's wrong with Italy?" he asked, looking up at his caretaker with wide blue eyes.

"I don't know, but I'm going to deal with it now. Go back to sleep Holy Rome," Austria replied, feeling slightly annoyed but not wanting to take it out on the blonde boy since it wasn't his fault. The small empire nodded slowly, rather reluctantly, and closed his door. With that taken care of, Austria walked the rest of the way to Italy's room.

Pulling open the door, Austria was surprised to see Italy sitting up in bed, crying his eyes out. Well, her eyes, since Austria still believed Italy to be a girl at the time. At hearing someone at the door Italy blinked up at Austria, plump tears still rolling down her rosy cheeks.

"What's the matter with you Italy? Don't you know there are others sleeping in this house?"

"I'm sowrry!" the child replied through her tears, trying hastily to wipe them away. Italy cried quite frequently in Austria's presence, especially with he was being disciplined by the older nation, but lately he'd tried to hide it more and attempt to be brave like Miss Hungary.

"Well that's not good enough, you still woke the entire house with your wailing. Now tell me what your problem is before I think of a way to punish you for it!"

Italy sniffled, "I'm sowwry Mr. Austria! I…. I….. I want Miss Hungary! I had a bad dream and she always makes them go away!" he cried.

Austria felt himself beginning to lose his patience, "Well what was this bad dream about?" he demanded, wanting to get to the very bottom of it before scolding Italy, telling her she was just being childish and stupid, and ordering her to go back to sleep without another sound.

"I had a dream that you died!"

Time froze in that instant and Austria blinked, "I'm sorry?" he asked.

The child sniffled, rubbing her swollen red eyes that wouldn't cease leaking tears, "You and Miss Hungary were both fighting against a very big army, and their scary leader with glowing red eyes beat you up and then you died. And he killed Miss Hungary after that, and Holy Rome, and then he started to chase me and I ran away but then I tripped and he got me and….." the story ended there as Italy burst into a fresh wave of sobs.

Austria felt a chill run down his spine, how did she know? Austria had been trying to keep it quiet as best he could, but the war with Prussia was getting closer and closer. What if Italy had just had a vision of the future? What if Austria and Hungary's fate was to be murdered by Prussia?

He crossed the room to Italy, gathering the small child in his arms and hugging her to his chest tightly. "No, that's not going to happen, it was just a dream," he said, uncharacteristically soft. The child clung onto his nightshirt tightly, weeping heavily into the Austrian's shoulder. "Italy, I'm right here. Holy Rome is sleeping just down the hall, and Miss Hungary will be back soon. So stop your crying, you have no reason to cry."

"B-B-But….."

"No buts! Now, I want you to go back to bed and I don't want to hear another peep from you. Understand?"

Italy shook her head, nuzzling his face into Austria's neck, "I can't do that, I'm scared."

"Of what now?"

"Bad dreams."

Austria sighed, before adjusting his hold on Italy and carrying the child out of the room and down the hall. By now Italy had calmed down substantially, and blinked up at his big brother in confusion, "Where are we going Mr. Austria?"

"I'm making you go to sleep."

He walked them into the music room, lighting a candle beside the piano and sitting Italy down on the bench beside him. Without another word he began playing, Chopin of course, but not Nocturne. Instead he played Berceuse, a gentle lullaby that would surely cause the little Italian to fall asleep. At first he didn't believe it would work, as Italy sat up attentively to listen to him play the song, however just as Austria began to get lost in the music he caught Italy yawning out of the corner of his eye.

He was temporarily taken away from the music when he felt the little maid rest her head on his side about three quarters of the way through the song. Austria didn't stop though, ever the performer, he played on despite losing his audience until the song was over.

"Play anoder one," a faint voice said from his lap, which Italy was using as a pillow. Sighing, Austria decided to just play whatever came to his head until the child finally fell asleep. He was so close! Just one more song and then they'd all be able to go to sleep! This time he ignored Italy completely, needing his full focus to be on the music when he was just playing songs out of his head.

As he played, he closed his eyes, but had to be careful not to fall asleep at the piano. How silly would he look if Miss Hungary returned tomorrow to find him asleep at the piano with Italy? He'd be so embarrassed! So the second composition he played was decidedly shorter than the Chopin, and as the final notes faded into silence, he knew he'd finally succeeded. Italy made not a sound, and his deep, even breaths were added proof that the child was finally asleep.

Being as careful as he could, Austria put out the candle before picking Italy back up and carrying him back to his room. When he got there he tuck her in, gently brushing a stray auburn lock away from her face. He stood there for a long time, the things the little Italian had said sinking in and scaring him. Would France swoop in and take Italy and Holy Rome if something happened to him? Despite how poorly he treated the two children, he loved them very much, and losing them in that way would break his heart.

Bending down, Austria placed a feather-light kiss on Italy's forehead before leaving to return back to his own room. Austria never acknowledged the events of that night to anyone, not even when Miss Hungary asked him about it after Italy told her how he'd soothed her. However Austria has never forgotten, and sometimes late at night when he's alone and can't rest, he'll play Chopin's Lullaby and remember a little auburn-haired child who somehow managed to worm his way into the Austrian's stone cold heart.