This is a work of fan fiction using characters from Axis Powers Hetalia, owned by Hidekaz Himaruya, and HetaOni, created by Tomoyoshi and based off of Ao Oni, created and owned by noprops. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended.

Italy blinked.

What was he doing on the floor? How did he even get there? What happened to the giant Thing that was in here? More importantly, what happened to the others?

He stood up and saw that there were only three of his friends were in the room with him: France and Prussia consoling and physically restraining an emotionally distraught Germany.

Italy had never seen his best friend like this before. The other nation was more than capable of being intimidating, especially when he was trying to get Italy to train harder or even at all.

In his current state, however, he was downright scary.

As he moved to console his friend, France and Prussia dragged Germany out of the room. Hearing that baritone voice-the voice that usually barked out orders, the voice that often lulled him to sleep during meetings, the voice that most memorably said how much he valued the small nation-cry out for him and beg the others to let him stay rendered him speechless.

Wait a second. Why didn't any of them notice him? Even Germany wasn't looking him in the face just then. He turned around to find out precisely what Germany was looking at.

Oh.

That's right.

Before he could continue that train of thought, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around to find Germany, looking straight into his eyes with a misty-eyed smile.

Tears of joy formed in his own eyes before Italy buried his face in Germany's chest. He couldn't believe it; he had finally gotten his best friend in the whole wide world back! The only thing that could possibly make this better was…

As he embraced the other man, he felt another person pull them both into a hug. Then another, and another, and another, until finally he was at the center of a massive group hug. Finally, after so many tears and so much bloodshed, after so much pain, he would finally leave the house with all of his friends. If nine other people weren't keeping him standing upright, he would've dropped to his knees and rejoiced.

Eventually the hug disbanded, and without any words from anyone, Italy understood why.

It was time to go.

He took one last look at his corpse before leaving this wretched place with his friends for good.