p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I was running just about as fast as my legs would let me, the buildings zipped by in a not-so zipping manner. I said I was going my fastest but I never said it was fast. Germany doesn't allow breaks so it was getting hard for me to breathe. I glanced up far ahead at the two of them; Germany and Japan./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Japan looks like he's having some trouble too, but at least he can keep up with him. little beads of sweat roll down his forehead./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""hey Italy,"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I switch my gaze over to Germany. The running doesn't seem to bother him at all, maybe he's going easy on us.../p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""if you jog faster, I'll let you make pasta."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"he doesn't have to say it twice. I get a huge energy burst and pass both of them, laughing like a maniac./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""Italy wait!" I can hear him shout but I ignore him completely./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""PASTAAAAAAA!" I scream, running down the dirt path to Germany's house. Once I arrive I scurry into the kitchen, pulling out noodles from the pantry. I set a pot of water onto the warming stove and wait for it to boil./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"emGermany is so kind, letting me cook pasta for lunch/em.I think, dumping the noodles in. emI don't really like training but otherwise I love living here. Germany Japan and I all get along great and I don't get beat up! I really hope it stays like this forever../em/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"it becomes silent as I stir the noodles, adding a few ingredients here and there. I don't like this... I can't hear Germany on the phone and Japan isn't vacuuming the living room. it's too quiet!/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""draw a circle that's the earth," I sing to bring in some /"I'm Hetaaaaliiiaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""Italy..." a deep voice mumbles from across the kitchen. I look up from the tomato I am cutting to see Germany in the doorway./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""'ve~ hello Doitsu, are you feeling okay?" I question, observing his sad expression./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""Yes, I'm fine," he shuffles to sit on one of the stools in front of the counter. he says he's okay but his face says otherwise. All color is drained from his cheeks, leaving him looking as if he's seen a ghost./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""I just have a headache, that's all." he places his head in his hands./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I frown. emI really don't like seeing Germany like this, it hurts me inside.. I know! I'm going to help him!/em/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"em"/emwhy don't you go lay down and I'll bring you tea okay?" I tell him with a smile. he nods and I help him up, holding his arm all the way to his room. I push open the door and Germany drags br /his feet in. he plops down on the side of his bed and pulls off his sweaty tank top, exposing his bare chest. a small blush creeps to my cheeks but I hide it, holding my hand to his forehead./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""You do feel a little warm, I'll be right back. do you want black or green tea?" I whisper, afraid that if I talk too loud I'll make his headache worse./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"he looks up in my orbs. "green.."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"looking into his eyes makes me think he's not actually sick, but something is bothering him. maybe if I gaze deeper, I'll find the cause./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I want to but I have to make his tea. I turn and walk to the door, reaching for the knob./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""um...Italy?" Germany asks. his voice sounds closer. I spin around to see him standing in front of me. I didn't even hear him move! I gasp when he engulfs me in a hug. his toned chest is warm against my cold frame. the blush on my cheeks grows bigger as he holds me like this./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""G-Germany..!" I stutter in complete shock, this is the first time he's hugged me..br /I wrap my shaking arms around his torso wearily. he gently holds my head to his chest and I can feel the steady rise and fall of his breathing, though his heart is pounding fast./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""thank you." he says into my ear, causing me to shiver./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I giggle. "you're welcome Doitsu! I think that's the first time you've thanked me.. I just want you to be happy!"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I can feel his mouth shift to a frown against my hair, making my heart drop. he sighs quietly./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""please don't call me that Italy..."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""hm? why?" I ask in confusion, pulling away from the hug. "but Japan gets to call you that."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"he started at me with a mixture of sadness and frustration./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""we're not talking about Japan right now." he says firmly, trying to stay calm. why can't we talk about him? this is so confusing.../p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""Doi- I mean Germany, I think you need to rest. I'll be back with your tea." I change the subject, getting back to the real matters. I place my hands on his chest, pushing him backwards gently. he seems flustered that emI'm /emthe one pushing him onto his bed, his face tinted red. I'm just trying to get him to lie down./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I pull the blankets back and he crawls underneath, bringing the soft fabric to his chin. for a big strong guy, he sure looks cute like this./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I smile at him and leave the room, turning the light off behind me. as I come closer to the kitchen, I smell something burning and an odd sizzling noise catches my attention./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""Ah! My pasta!" I shriek, dashing into the small cooking area to see the water in the pot boiling over and the smell intensifies. steam clouds the kitchen and I start to freak out. I have to take care of this so Germany can sleep, I can't have him solve all my problems./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I snatch the pot holders and move the over flowing noodles to the next burner. the steam is hot as it invades every inch of my exposed skin and causes my hair to stick to my head. I rush to open all the Windows in the kitchen and living room, trying my best to air out the place. I turn off the stove and slide to the floor, back pressed to the cupboards. I sigh in exhaustion, raking my hand through my hair. emHow could I forget I was cooking? I could've burned down his house/em... I think fighting back tears./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""Italy? What's going on, where are you?!" I hear Germany shout. emOh no... what is he going to think? am I going to get another lecture?/em/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"he bolts around the corner, frantically searching for me. a quiet sob escapes my lips when I see his worried expression. when he finds me curled up on the floor, his scared face changes to one of relief./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""mein gott you're okay." he breathes, falling to his knees. I can't stop it, he looks so frightened. the salty drops begin to fall at a steady pace down my cheeks as I cry out loudly. I fling onto him, wrapping my arms around his neck tightly./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""I-I'm so s-sorry G-Germany!" I wail into his shoulder. his body tenses at first, but then he places his strong arms around my back making me feel protected./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""shh shhh... it's okay Italy. you didn't do anything wrong." he choos trying to calm me down from my state./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"minutes past as he cradled me in his lap, stoking my light brown hair. I stopped crying but has the occasional hick./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""I was just so scared that I had set your house on fire, b-but I didn't want to bother you so I handled it myself..." I whisper./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"he sighs in exasperation and our eyes meet, blue against Brown./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""what? Italy you know I would have taken care of this to keep you safe." his orbs swarm with sadness yet look so caring, making my insides want to melt./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""I know."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"Japan looks like he's having some trouble too, but at least he can keep up with him. little beads of sweat roll down his forehead./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""hey Italy,"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I switch my gaze over to Germany. The running doesn't seem to bother him at all, maybe he's going easy on us.../p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""if you jog faster, I'll let you make pasta."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"he doesn't have to say it twice. I get a huge energy burst and pass both of them, laughing like a maniac./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""Italy wait!" I can hear him shout but I ignore him completely./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""PASTAAAAAAA!" I scream, running down the dirt path to Germany's house. Once I arrive I scurry into the kitchen, pulling out noodles from the pantry. I set a pot of water onto the warming stove and wait for it to boil./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"emGermany is so kind, letting me cook pasta for lunch/em.I think, dumping the noodles in. emI don't really like training but otherwise I love living here. Germany Japan and I all get along great and I don't get beat up! I really hope it stays like this forever../em/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"it becomes silent as I stir the noodles, adding a few ingredients here and there. I don't like this... I can't hear Germany on the phone and Japan isn't vacuuming the living room. it's too quiet!/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""draw a circle that's the earth," I sing to bring in some /"I'm Hetaaaaliiiaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""Italy..." a deep voice mumbles from across the kitchen. I look up from the tomato I am cutting to see Germany in the doorway./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""'ve~ hello Doitsu, are you feeling okay?" I question, observing his sad expression./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""Yes, I'm fine," he shuffles to sit on one of the stools in front of the counter. he says he's okay but his face says otherwise. All color is drained from his cheeks, leaving him looking as if he's seen a ghost./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""I just have a headache, that's all." he places his head in his hands./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I frown. emI really don't like seeing Germany like this, it hurts me inside.. I know! I'm going to help him!/em/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"em"/emwhy don't you go lay down and I'll bring you tea okay?" I tell him with a smile. he nods and I help him up, holding his arm all the way to his room. I push open the door and Germany drags br /his feet in. he plops down on the side of his bed and pulls off his sweaty tank top, exposing his bare chest. a small blush creeps to my cheeks but I hide it, holding my hand to his forehead./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""You do feel a little warm, I'll be right back. do you want black or green tea?" I whisper, afraid that if I talk too loud I'll make his headache worse./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"he looks up in my orbs. "green.."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"looking into his eyes makes me think he's not actually sick, but something is bothering him. maybe if I gaze deeper, I'll find the cause./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I want to but I have to make his tea. I turn and walk to the door, reaching for the knob./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""um...Italy?" Germany asks. his voice sounds closer. I spin around to see him standing in front of me. I didn't even hear him move! I gasp when he engulfs me in a hug. his toned chest is warm against my cold frame. the blush on my cheeks grows bigger as he holds me like this./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""G-Germany..!" I stutter in complete shock, this is the first time he's hugged me..br /I wrap my shaking arms around his torso wearily. he gently holds my head to his chest and I can feel the steady rise and fall of his breathing, though his heart is pounding fast./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""thank you." he says into my ear, causing me to shiver./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I giggle. "you're welcome Doitsu! I think that's the first time you've thanked me.. I just want you to be happy!"/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I can feel his mouth shift to a frown against my hair, making my heart drop. he sighs quietly./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""please don't call me that Italy..."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""hm? why?" I ask in confusion, pulling away from the hug. "but Japan gets to call you that."/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"he started at me with a mixture of sadness and frustration./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""we're not talking about Japan right now." he says firmly, trying to stay calm. why can't we talk about him? this is so confusing.../p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""Doi- I mean Germany, I think you need to rest. I'll be back with your tea." I change the subject, getting back to the real matters. I place my hands on his chest, pushing him backwards gently. he seems flustered that emI'm /emthe one pushing him onto his bed, his face tinted red. I'm just trying to get him to lie down./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I pull the blankets back and he crawls underneath, bringing the soft fabric to his chin. for a big strong guy, he sure looks cute like this./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I smile at him and leave the room, turning the light off behind me. as I come closer to the kitchen, I smell something burning and an odd sizzling noise catches my attention./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""Ah! My pasta!" I shriek, dashing into the small cooking area to see the water in the pot boiling over and the smell intensifies. steam clouds the kitchen and I start to freak out. I have to take care of this so Germany can sleep, I can't have him solve all my problems./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"I snatch the pot holders and move the over flowing noodles to the next burner. the steam is hot as it invades every inch of my exposed skin and causes my hair to stick to my head. I rush to open all the Windows in the kitchen and living room, trying my best to air out the place. I turn off the stove and slide to the floor, back pressed to the cupboards. I sigh in exhaustion, raking my hand through my hair. emHow could I forget I was cooking? I could've burned down his house/em... I think fighting back tears./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""Italy? What's going on, where are you?!" I hear Germany shout. emOh no... what is he going to think? am I going to get another lecture?/em/p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"he bolts around the corner, frantically searching for me. a quiet sob escapes my lips when I see his worried expression. when he finds me curled up on the floor, his scared face changes to one of relief./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""mein gott you're okay." he breathes, falling to his knees. I can't stop it, he looks so frightened. the salty drops begin to fall at a steady pace down my cheeks as I cry out loudly. I fling onto him, wrapping my arms around his neck tightly./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""I-I'm so s-sorry G-Germany!" I wail into his shoulder. his body tenses at first, but then he places his strong arms around my back making me feel protected./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""shh shhh... it's okay Italy. you didn't do anything wrong." he choos trying to calm me down from my state./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"minutes past as he cradled me in his lap, stoking my light brown hair. I stopped crying but has the occasional hick./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""I was just so scared that I had set your house on fire, b-but I didn't want to bother you so I handled it myself..." I whisper./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"he sighs in exasperation and our eyes meet, blue against Brown./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""what? Italy you know I would have taken care of this to keep you safe." his orbs swarm with sadness yet look so caring, making my insides want to melt./p
p style="margin: 20px 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;""I know."/p