1 Have Yourself An Italian Christmas
It was December 1st and the meeting had run incredibly long as usual. The countries filed out of the room going their own ways as the last one out shut the door and sighed as he leaned against it for a moment.
Germany hated when meetings ran long and this one had certainly done exactly that. At first everything was going great. They had sat down and gotten started with Germany bringing up something they needed to discuss. Somehow this had inevitably led to France making a pass at England when he said they should "pool their assets." A comment from France on these 'assets' made England retort smartly to him and led to an all-out argument.
Then America, being the idiot he was, got himself involved in this by spurting off some of his seemingly never ending 'hero' nonsense. Somewhere in this confusion Romano had started yelling at Spain who was, as usual, flirting rather openly with the fuming nation. Germany had begun to yell at them all to calm down but this time no one listened. Through all the yelling Russia had managed to walk up behind Italy and suggest for him to 'become one with Mother Russia.' Poor Italy had started crying at this and went bolting out of the conference room as only a retreating Italian could. Russia was left to move on to smiling creepily at a sleeping Greece who was completely oblivious to everyone around him.
Finally the meeting had ended with Germany telling them to just leave as nothing was getting done at this meeting as per the usual.
Germany rubbed his forehead. He had acquired a headache from this ordeal and that was the least of his problems.
Now the German's main concern was finding Feliciano, who had fled the meeting.
"Sheiße I hope he didn't leave the entire country." He grumbled. As he turned and left the conference center waving off the invitation of going drinking with Prussia and some others. "Nein you go and have a good time I'm going home." The countries had nodded and left as Germany stepped out onto the frigid cobbled streets.
It was dark out and the street leading into the small town was lined with street lamps casting a warm glow on the cobbled roads. The well-lit shop windows warmed the hearts of those who passed and the very atmosphere was generally pleasant despite the cold. The meeting had been held in Switzerland this time as it was closest to where most of them were headed, the Alps, for a skiing trip. This meant Germany could be home in a matter of hours and not have to worry about it much. Of course, now he had to find Italy which would delay his return trip home.
Most people were inside the pubs, stores, or houses at this hour. It was dark out but not late so most were still up. Darkness comes quickly in Switzerland when December rolls around.
The few people that were walking along the streets gave the fuming German a wide birth as he walked past with his hands shoved deep in the pockets of his coat.
The stores had started decorating for Christmas and the smell of baked goods and sweets wafted to Ludwig's nose as he stopped in the middle of the town.
"I might as well start looking in the shops. Italy might have gone into one or at least someone might have seen him." Germany sighed and watched his breath come out in small white puffs as he began to walk up to the windows of the shops and peer in.
After a half an hour Germany was at the last little shop in the town and still had no sign of Italy or any lead to where he might have gone. He had found Spain, France, England, Prussia, America and Romano drinking in a pub but didn't bother with them as Spain appeared to be saying something to Romano that made his cheeks flush bright red and the others were all arguing at a table near them. He had left the pub and went looking for Italy again outside, after seeing no sign of the little nation inside.
Ludwig looked up at the shop he had come to and saw that it was a candy shop that had an impressive window display of chocolates and candies of all sorts. Germany sighed.
"Maybe he went in there. He is always hungry after all." Germany pushed open the shop door jingling the little bell above it as he entered. Immediately tantalizing smells invaded his nose and he looked around the warm little shop to see an older man decorating chocolates at the counter.
"Ah come in come in! It's frigid out there!" The man said with a smile as he put the chocolates into the display case. "What can I do for you? I have all kinds of sweets, everything from pastries to chocolate and candies! See if anything suits your fancy!" The man smiled and Germany slicked his hair back with one hand before sighing. The treats looked delicious but he was on a mission to find the annoying little Italian who always seemed to make him come after him.
"Ja they look delicious but I am actually looking for someone. A little Italian about this tall with reddish hair and a curl off to one side." Germany motioned to the man about how tall Italy was and the man thought for a moment before snapping his fingers.
"I think I have seen him! Skittish little guy. He ran past my store when I was cleaning my windows earlier. I asked him what the hurry was and he sputtered something in frantic Italian before running off. I think he went that way." The shopkeeper pointed down the road and adjusted the glasses on his kind old face. "Sorry if I'm not much help he was moving faster than I thought possible!" Germany sighed and rubbed his forehead. His headache was coming back again.
"Ja he's a friend of mine. Danke for helping me." Ludwig turned to leave now having an idea of where the Italian country had gone. He was almost to the door when the shopkeeper called to him.
"Here take some chocolates. Give them to your friend maybe they'll calm him down." The shopkeeper smiled happily as he handed the German a plain paper bag. Germany took it rather taken aback by the man's kindness and nodded.
"Danke." He said simply and the man nodded before returning to his counter. Germany walked out the door hearing the little bell ring again as he stepped back into the cold. He looked right and saw a little bridge leading over a small stream to a forest. Germany sighed and walked up to it, his combat boots hitting the pavement with each step. The stream was quiet and flowing as the warmth of the town faded away to the darkness of the night. Germany crossed the bridge heading towards the forest as the snow began to lightly fall. His thoughts were only on the little nation all alone.
"He's afraid of his own shadow. Sheiße he's probably terrified and freezing." Ludwig rubbed his temples and continued on the path into the dark forest as the snow continued to fall.
"Italy! Italy! I-t-a-l-y!" Germany called out into the blackness of the forest making a few birds above him startle and fly off squawking as his voice seemed to echo through the woods. He walked on about to call again when he heard a small shout. His eyes narrowed and he began to walk a little faster down the path. The noise was too indistinguishable for him to be sure that it was the little nation. "Italy!" He called again as he practically jogged down the path. He was glancing about the woods now, keeping his ears listening for any hint of a noise that could possibly be Feliciano. This time he heard the shout clearer and a little closer. His heart skipped a beat as he heard the tone and the pain in it now sure that it was Italy. "Italy! Keep calling out!"
"Germany!" Was the small reply as he began to run through the forest off of the path and towards where he heard Italy's tiny voice.
"Italy! Stay where you are! Keep calling to me so I can find you!" His heart was pounding. Why was Italy so far off the path? Why did he sound like he was in pain? Germany tore around a corner as he heard what sounded like a small cry of pain followed by a very loud shout. "Germany!"
Ludwig spotted a bit of red hair sticking out from behind a log a few feet down the slope he was currently standing on. Without hesitation Germany rushed over. When he reached the little Italian he noticed his current state was not what he had hoped it to be. One shoe was completely off and lying nearby. His hair was mussed and contained a few leaves and twigs. His jacket and shirt were askew, and his face had bright red cheeks as he shook violently from his spot curled up on the ground. Ludwig tossed the bag he was holding aside and fell to his knees next to the Italian. Feliciano looked up at him with tears in his eyes.
"Italy what happened? Are you hurt anywhere?" His blue eyes searched the little Italian's tear streaked face as Italy began to speak in a shaking and slightly hoarse voice.
"Germany! I was running and I tripped and hurt my ankle! Germany I was so scared!" He clung to the front of Ludwig's jacket as the German sighed in relief.
"It's okay Italy; but don't run off like that anymore." Italy shook his head.
"But Germany, Russia will eat me! He's going to violate me and then he'll eat me!" Italy was bawling into Ludwig's jacket, whether out of fear or pain, he couldn't stop as he cried and shook against the German's larger frame. Ludwig patted his back lightly to comfort him knowing that he had to calm him down and get the smaller nation out of the cold very soon. He was shaking like a leaf and looked not only freezing but exhausted.
"Italy, Russia's not going to eat you. I promise. Now we need to get you somewhere warm. You're going to get frostbite out here." He grabbed the Italian's shoe, which was laying a little ways away, and put it on his foot loosely lacing it up as Italy was shaking so hard he knew he couldn't do it. He slipped his arms under Italy's small frame and hoisted him over his shoulder for a moment before thinking better of it before handing the Italian the brown paper bag of chocolates and moving him so he was holding the small nation against his chest. He began to walk out of the forest holding the tiny nation against him in an attempt to keep him warm. When they reached the bridge Germany noticed that Italy had fallen asleep in his arms but was still shaking violently. He cursed under his breath and hurried into the village passing the pub where he could hear people laughing and his brother's voice yelling "Yeah Spain woohoo!"
He didn't stop walking as the few people still outside stared at the strange picture of the tall, blonde German carrying the small, reddish haired Italian through the tiny town.
Germany stopped once he had reached his car parked near the place where they had held their world meeting. He opened the passenger door and gently set the sleeping country inside before shutting the door and getting in on the driver's side. He turned the heat up to high and pulled the car into gear.
A few minutes after Germany began driving he looked over to see that Italy had stopped shaking and was sleeping soundly. With a small sigh of relief he turned the heat down slightly and focused back on the road.
After a few hours of driving they were pulling up to Germany's house. Ludwig stopped the car and looked over to see the small Italian blinking his eyes open.
"Ve? Germany where are we?"
"We're at my house. It was the closest place to go. Come on I'll make Supper and see about your ankle." Italy nodded sleepily and Germany walked over to his side picking him up in his arms and carrying the slightly flushed country into his house. Italy looked up at Germany and smiled before closing his eyes. Ludwig couldn't help but be worried as he set the small Italian on a couch in his living room. He walked into his bathroom and found the bandages he had in his medicine cabinet and then returned to where Italy lay on the couch.
He took Italy's boots off and tossed them near the door before taking off his sock and looking at his ankle. Italy whimpered a little in pain as he did so.
"It's not broken but it might be fractured or sprained. You will have to keep your weight off of it as much as possible." He sighed and wrapped it up with the bandages before looking at Italy who was watching him with big brown eyes as he stuck a small chocolate in his mouth. Germany felt a light blush on his face as Italy smiled.
"Ve! That's good! Say Germany did you get me these?" He asked holding up the brown bag of chocolates. Germany looked away and stood up clearing his throat.
"A nice shopkeeper gave them to me. I thought you'd like them. Anyways don't eat too much I'm making Supper." He said plainly trying to avoid the brown eyed gaze of the small country who sat on the couch.
"Thanks Germany!" Italy called happily and once again Ludwig had to fight off a blush.
He put a large pot of water on the stove and pulled out a box of pasta from his cupboard knowing the other country would enjoy it. He warmed up some sauce in a pan and had just opened the fridge to get some parmesan when he felt two arms around him and a body leaning on his back heavily. Immediately he felt incredibly awkward and cleared his throat before straightening and turning to see a small Italy hugging him tightly.
"Thank you Germany." Germany sighed and patted his head lightly attempting to keep whatever dignity he had left.
"It's okay Italy, really. But you shouldn't be standing on that ankle. Come on let's get you back in the living room." He helped Italy back to the couch and then went back to the kitchen where he strained the pasta and added the sauce on two plates before grating the cheese and putting a fork in each. He walked into the room where the now happy Italy sat on the couch. He took the pasta gratefully and beamed at Germany making his heart thump loudly in his chest for reasons he didn't quite understand. They ate their pasta in silence until Italy set his empty plate on the coffee table next to Germany's. The silence was deafening and more than a little awkward for the German sitting as still as a statue on the couch.
Italy glanced over at Germany for a moment and watched him making Ludwig even more uncomfortable. He continued his staring as Germany glanced over at him now a little red in the face as he was being watched intently by the Italian.
"Germany can I ask you something?" He finally said breaking his intense staring for a moment. Germany nodded a little wary as the Italian rarely ever showed this much focused interest in him.
"Ja Italy you can ask me whatever you want." Italy nodded and then looked down for a moment at his ankle before speaking.
"Why did you come looking for me? Nobody else did. Nobody else ever does, not even my fratello. So why is it always you?" Two brown eyes gazed at two blue ones as Germany sat on the couch a little shocked at the tiny Italian's questions.
He paused for a moment thinking about it and wondering why he always felt the need to go after the Italian. Why was it always him? He felt like he had to. No, not that he had to, he wanted to. Italy was his friend and friends look for each other when they are in need. He opened his mouth to say this and was a little surprised when it wasn't the first thing out of his mouth. "Why do I always come to look for you? I'm sure others look for you and if you didn't run off then I wouldn't have to." He looked over as the Italy's face fell as little and he looked down with a crestfallen expression. Germany quickly backtracked and began speaking again. "What I mean is you are my friend and friends look for each other. If I was missing you would look for me and so I look for you." Italy shook his head and looked up as Ludwig realized he had said the wrong thing once again. Tears were once again on Italy's face as he looked up at the German next to him.
"But it is always me! I am always running and you have to find me and pick me up when I fall! It is always you who is helping me. But I never help you. I can't even thank you for it correctly." Germany watched completely shocked at the normally jovial Italian's shaking figure completely unsure of what to do and feeling very confused and somehow incredibly awful at the same time.
"Italy you have thanked me. You don't need to thank me because I don't mind helping you."
"But you do! You always look so worried when you have to take care of me and I give you headaches all of the time! I know I do because you always have to take those pain pills and you sigh and and…" Italy was now hiccupping as tears flowed down his face and Germany felt utterly lost and awful as he watched Feliciano cry on his couch. He had to do something. The sight of Italy so hurt by his actions made him feel a pain in his chest deeper than any he had felt before. With a moment's hesitation Germany silently reached over and pulled the little Italian into a tight hug resting his face on the Italian's shoulder and pulling him close to his chest.
"Italy you can't cry. You can't cry like this because of me. It is my fault for worrying because I don't know how to not worry about you. I always worry about you because I am so afraid of you getting hurt or losing you. Bitte, Feliciano, Bitte. Forgive me for making you so upset." Italy's tears stopped as he wide brown eyes looked shocked at the German's words and the pain in his voice. He felt the warmth and strength of Ludwig's arms around him and the strong heartbeat beating against his chest. With trembling arms he reached up around the German's large frame and returned the hug tightly burying his face into the larger country's chest.
Germany felt the Italian's arms hugging him and couldn't help but hold him a little bit closer as they both sat silently holding each other. He felt now more than he ever had a closeness and fondness for Feliciano and a feeling that he felt like he had known before. He felt like he could never let him go and that this little scatterbrained Italian that he had been looking after and getting out of trouble for years had found his way through the barriers around the German's heart. He felt as if somehow, a long time ago, he had lost Italy once before and now knew that he could never possibly let him go again. He pulled back looking down at the brown eyes still glazed over with tears that rested on the delicate face of the Italian in front of him and knew that he was right in his feelings.
"Italy, I don't think I can let you go. I can't lose you. If you ran away right now I would follow. I would find you wherever you went if you needed me to and pick you up if you fell. I would care for you and never regret it as long as I live. I care for you Italy." Ludwig blushed as he spoke looking sincerely at the Italian and watching his reaction hoping he said the right thing.
Italy looked at the slightly red German for a moment with awe. His heart was beating quickly as he suddenly launched himself at the German effectively knocking him back onto the pillows of the couch as he hugged him tightly. "Germany you mean it? You really mean that you care for me?" Germany looked at him slightly flustered as Italy looked up at him with wide eyes.
"J-Ja I do." He said nervously blushing even more as he glanced away from the Italian. He didn't have long to act indifferent as suddenly he was being pulled forwards by the front of the shirt. "Italy what are you do…" His sentence was stopped by a very soft pair of lips being crushed to his own as he froze, completely shocked at the Italian's sudden display of affection. Italy pressed himself further onto the blonde kissing him softly as Germany returned the unexpected kiss surprising even himself. Italy was the first to pull away leaving a slightly red faced German staring at him with an expression only comparable to one of complete wonder. Italy waited for Germany to say something hoping he had not made him angry. He didn't have long to wait as Germany spoke once again in a much softer tone.
"I didn't know. Italy how long have you…?" He didn't finish his sentence as Italy's sudden smile surprised him.
"Since forever Germania." He smiled and moved to hug Germany again as Ludwig wrapped his arms around him in return smiling widely for reasons he now seemed to understand. Softly, he kissed the top of Feliciano's head and continued to smile.
"You should stay for Christmas Italien." Italy smiled knowing this was Germany's way of returning his affections.
"I will Ludwig. Ti voglio bene." He said with a smile as Germany held him close.
"Ich magst du, Feliciano." He replied, with his mind now completely at ease as the little Italian snuggled closer in his arms.