'I'll always be there for you Mr. Germany.'

Those words rang through his skull as he held the weak Italian in his arms.

"Oh Italy." His voice broke ever so slightly as he stared into Feliciano's eyes, those soft, familiar amber eyes he knew so well and would never see again.

"Mr…Germany…" Feli tried to speak past the pain, to make Ludwig see that he'd had no choice, "I had…to. I didn't…want you…to…get hurt. You…saved me, so I….saved…you."

Ludwig fought the tears threatening to spill from his eyes as he pressed his forehead against Feli's own.

"Hush Feliciano. Save your strength."

The dying Italian smiled and raised a trembling hand to the German's face.

"If I…don't…come back…here, will you…remember…me?"

A tear sliding down his cheek, Ludwig nodded.

"Always my Feli. Always. You'll be alright, I won't lose you."

"I…love…you." With one final breath, Feli closed his eyes, never to open them again.

Ludwig sat there, holding the lifeless Feliciano in his arms. He'd never gotten to say 'I love you' to him. Tears falling down his cheeks, he looked up to the sky.

"I'll never forget you Feliciano. I love you."