Disclaimer: 'Hetalia' is copyright to creator Hidekaz Himaruya and 'Der Erste Stern' is copyright to creator Prinz/Yori. I do not own nor profit from this work of fiction or other.

'Der Erste Stern' is my favorite GerIta doujin and just for fun I wanted to right an adaption to it in my own style of writing. Only country names will be used as that's an important part of the story. And if I get readers who have not read this doujin, I highly recommend you do so, it is so worth it. There will be four chapters, one for each book. Also, in case it wasn't clear, anything in italics is a thought or a flashback/memory. It won't be hard to figure out which. And each time change and scene change is denoted with a line break. With that being said, enjoy.

Chapter One.

A small boy garbed in a little girl's dress stood outside under a darkened sky. His eyes were drawn upwards and if anyone were to see him then, they would only assume he was studying the stars that were blanketed above him. But it wasn't what he saw, rather than what he was thinking, and those were drifting in a much more distant spot than where he stood.

He was fondly recalling the warm caress of the summer sunshine through his clothes, the sound the brush from his broom made against uneven stone tiles, and the billowing of a small, dark coat caught in a breeze.

"I love pasta," the young boy would sing to himself as he cleaned. "And sweets and music and drawings and...and..."

He would never forget these things. Not the way the long grass touched at his legs nor the way a young boy's hand felt secured in his own.

"...and Holy Roman Empire!"

"Huh?" Italy was pulled from his thoughts suddenly, as if that name alone had shaken him from whatever memory he had been losing himself in. The young boy blinked and looked up, there was nothing but the endless darkness above him, but what had he expected really, there was never anything there he really cared about.

"You'll get cold standing out here Italy," a kind voice spoke from behind him and Italy spun around, a wave of surprise flooding him.

"Oh! Mr. Austria..." the young boy flushed, wondering how long the man had been standing in the doorway watching him.

"Hurry and come inside," Austria stepped aside invitingly but Italy found it difficult to move. He shifted awkwardly and looked down, searching for the right words.

"...Mr. Austria?" Italy tilted his head back up, his eyes nervously fleeting between Austria's own slightly curious gaze. "When is Holy Roman Empire coming back?" His question was met with a surprised kind of silence and a wave of emotion suddenly bloomed in the boy's chest. Blinking away the small tears that had welled in the corners of his eyes and trying to stop his hands from shaking as he pulled and bunched up the front of his apron, he felt his words surge inside of him recklessly. He knew that if he didn't let it out now, they'd only force themselves up eventually. "Both you and Ms. Hungary are still around, so why do I feel so lonely?"

"Oh, Italy..." A strange look of pity flashed across the man's face and momentarily, he bent his head as if to gather his thoughts. "Do you know about the fate of countries?" He finally asked, crouching down so that he could be on eye level with the child. Italy gave a small shake to his head. "Weak countries are taken over by strong ones, superior countries expand, and countries that lose sight of themselves will sooner or later cease to exist. He goes through much sadness fighting to protect us...and Holy Roman Empire...well, even now he is fighting as a country." Austria placed a gentle hand on Italy's shoulder, "you have to trust that he'll return to your side eventually. Believe it..."

"I can see so many stars tonight!" Italy exclaimed from where he lay in the grass. He grinned, catching each winking light with a glimpse. It was so big, not a night went by where he didn't leave still impressed by its size. Italy took a deep breath of the cold air and then released it in one big exhale. The frosted plume of his breath drifted upwards and disappeared, but still he reached a hand up as if he were going to bring it back. His eyes drifted over to his arm, a strange pale mark against the night sky, and his smile faltered at the sight. "I really went and did it, didn't I?" He said to himself, studying the bandages he had tried to wrap his wounds in. His fingers stiffly stowed away into the palm of his hand and he took his arm back down with a deep sigh. "It's boring without Germany around," Italy shut his eyes and regained his smile. "I wonder if he'll be back soon."

To his right came the sudden mewl of a cat and Italy snapped his eyes open at the sound and sat up.

"Oh, hello!" He beamed. "Are you alone?" The thin white cat tilted its head and meowed once again. "Come here," Italy said, extending out a wrapped hand. "I don't know but I've been feeling lonely today...will you stay with me?" The cat sauntered forward, bending its head and allowing Italy to rub his fingers up against the soft fur of the cat's scruff. "There, there," he cooed. "Good boy." Italy rubbed his hand down the cat's back, but then, without warning, the cat stilled, cocked its head and took off in the opposite direction. "Ah!" Italy withdrew his hand. "Wait up!" He bent down on his knee to stand and then caught sight of a pair of dark, shiny boots only a few feet before him.

Italy looked up, his eyes wide and surprised as he took in the height of the blonde man that stood before him. A sudden wide smile replaced the shock upon his face and he darted upwards. "Germany!"

"Italy?" The uniformed blonde asked under his breath. He had no time to prepare for impact as Italy threw his arms forward and around Germany's shoulders. "Germany! Germany! I was waiting for you!" He nuzzled his face into the taller man's chest and grinned. "Welcome home!"

Germany suddenly grabbed Italy by his shoulders and pushed away, letting his bright eyes wander over Italy with a deep concerned look scored into his features. "What happened to you?" Germany asked as his fingers trailed the length of the boy's arms, running over the overlapping bandages that wound themselves nearly up to his shoulders. Even his chest, exposed under the coat that was unbuttoned and hanging from his thin shoulders, had length of white material tight and bound around it. "You're covered in wounds!"

Italy shrank back slightly "I..." he hesitated before smiling brightly and bringing his hand up in salute. "I failed at skirt chasing, it was a massive defeat!" The doubting look on Germany's face didn't budge. "Kidding, kidding," Italy laughed, dropping his hand back at his side. "I protected your house while you were away actually."

"Wh..." Germany seemed at a sudden loss for words and finally, with his eyes narrowed in confusion, he sputtered out, "why didn't you call for backup?! You always call me, even if it's just to tie up your shoes, so why not now?!"

Italy glanced away, a foreign look gracing his young features that didn't quite seem to suit him. "I wanted to be useful to you at least once..." he brought his hands up to his face and a small smile touched at his lips. "Besides, these injuries are nothing compared to the ones you always get looking after me." His hands fell again and he stole a look at the wide sky once again. He never really noticed but always being under such a vast space can really make one feel small and kind of insignificant. It bothered him a little bit.

Germany shifted, sensing that something was amiss. "What's happened? You're acting strange today."

Italy laughed, "Maybe I am..."

Germany cleared his throat and looked down, grabbing Italy's hand. "For now at least, let's go back to my place." He looked forward with a subtle intensity and pulled Italy along as he took long, strong strides across the grass. "Your bandages aren't done properly, it's annoying me." Italy stumbled forward, his mind racing. The way Germany's hand felt in his, warm and secure, it reminded him so much of those days...

"There they are!" A young Italy called out to the night sky, his hands waving around him. "The stars are so pretty..." his eyes darted back and forth, taking it all in when a sudden sound behind him brought him out of his momentary trance. He spun around and shrunk down, "wh-who's there?" He whispered to the bush behind him. A rustle came and then suddenly, a boy only a little older than himself, stood up. Even in the night, Italy could tell the boy was blushing. "Oh, Holy Roman Empire!" The blonde boy looked down at the ground before pushing a white, steaming cup forward.

"Here," he said quietly, not meeting Italy's eyes. "You must be cold."

"Eh," Italy took a gentle step forward and took the cup from the boy's hands. "Th-thank you. It's lovely and warm." A pair of bright blue eyes darted forward, staring intently as he watched Italy bring the cup to his mouth. When he realized he was staring he looked away momentarily and softened his gaze. "What are you doing out here?"

"Looking at the stars," Italy replied, bring his head back up.

"Do you like doing that?" Holy Roman Empire asked softly.

Italy's smile widened. "Yes, they're very pretty." His eyes widened as he trailed the length of a star that was falling across the sky. "Hey," he said suddenly, "you know, if you make a wish on a shooting star, it'll come true."

Holy Roman Empire's narrowed his eyes and his mouth upturned slightly. "Only little kids believe that-"

"I wish I could eat delicious pasta, I wish I could eat delicious pasta..." Holy Roman Empire clenched his mouth shut as he watched Italy recite over and over the silly wish. "I wish I could eat delicious pasta," he repeated. Italy opened his eyes and smiled, turning suddenly to the boy next to him. "You try wishing too! Oh..." Italy took a sudden step forward. "Your face is red. Are you cold?"

"It's okay," Holy Roman Empire said immediately, stiffening as Italy took another small step forward. He opened his mouth to speak but was quickly silenced when a small hand was placed gently against his cheek.

"Is that warm?" Italy asked as he spread his fingers against the boy's skin. A sudden look of panic swept over the blonde boy and he stumbled back. He shut his eyes and darted back through the bush. Italy frowned and brought his hand back to his cup. "Holy Roman Empire..." Italy sighed, staring at the spot the blonde boy had stood only moments before. He looked into his cup and smiled slightly. He was kind of used to this.

When Holy Roman Empire came running back into the house, he was flushed with the warm comfort of the lit fireplace. He placed a hand to his heart and shut his eyes, trying to figure out if it had been the running or the warm touch of Italy's hand that was making his heart beat the way it was. A small nervous smile fluttered to his lips and he turned towards the window next to him. His small hands braced themselves against the sill and he leaned forward, looking up at the sky for the sign of another shooting star. When his eyes caught the tail of a trailing light, he shut his eyes and whispered intently to himself, "I wish Italy and I could be even closer... I wish Italy and I could be even closer..."

The next day as Italy was doing his chores, he sang to himself with a cheerful smile. He spun his mop around the puddle on the floor until something caught his eye. "Pasta!" Italy dropped his mop and ran over to the plate of food on the floor. His stomach growled and he eagerly dropped down to pick it up. He spun the fork and placed it in his mouth before a queasy look crossed his face. "Gross..." A noise turned him around and he quickly swallowed the mouthful before looking up at the boy in the black coat. "Holy Roman Empire...did you leave this for me?"

The boy gave a small nod and Italy pulled the plate in closer to himself. "Thank you," he said sincerely, feeling almost guilty for having not liked it. Holy Roman Empire's eyes widened and he took a step back, nodding nervously, he spun around and hastily walked back the other way.

Holy Roman Empire squeezed the cuffs of his coat between his fingers as he tread quickly out the front door. He hated to imagine what he looked like to Italy, a nervous mess always running away, but he couldn't help it really. His chest would most likely burst if he didn't get the space he needed. The boy glided down the steps and crossed the courtyard until he reached the edge of the lot where the trees ran together and wildflowers bloomed in clusters, a place far away enough where he could breath. Disappointed, he looked up at the clouds above him, his breath heavy and his eyes instead. "Your wish will come true, huh?" He said to himself sharply. His glare sharpened and he looked back at the house. For all he knew, Italy only thought worse of him now.

"Wow, amazing!" Italy beamed down at Germany who was kneeling down in front of him. "You're so good at bandaging!" Germany sighed and glanced up with a flat look.

"This is just normal." He continued on for a couple minutes more before he stopped and let his hands fall slightly. "Italy?"

"Hm?" The boy asked. Germany kept his eyes to the bandages, his face a serious mask of a lot of hard to read emotions.

"Well...thank you for protecting my house."

Italy's eyes grew wide and he suddenly laughed, delighted at the sound of those small yet powerful words. Whatever feeling had been lingering in his chest all day slowly began to shrink away. "It was nothing!" He said lightly. "I think this might be the first time you've thanked me!" Germany never thanked him because Italy hardly ever did anything worth thanking, and he knew it, but he couldn't help exclaiming over it regardless. "Germany, Germany, was I a good boy? Did I do right?"

"Ah," Germany studied Italy for a small second. "Yeah, you did."

Italy brought his free hand up, feeling like every wound was worth this single moment. "Kiss me! Hug me!" He laughed.

"Don't get carried away!" Germany barked, he shook his head and held out his hand. "Give me your other arm." Italy did as he was told and watched intently as Germany worked his steady fingers over and around the bandages. The blonde man was so focused with those cerulean eyes of his always so serious and determined. It was a look that Germany often wore, like a default expression, but something about this night in particular seemed so strikingly familiar. Italy looked away, that lonely feeling seemed to be returning.

"Hey Germany?"

"Yes?"

"When did you fall in love for the first time?" Germany took a sharp breath in before quirking his brows at the wispy haired boy.

"What's with this sudden questioning?"

"I want to know more about you," Italy replied. When he saw that Germany didn't look like he was going to answer, Italy pressed on. "Hey, hey, please tell me."

Germany let his eyes fall slightly, "I don't really remember much of the past."

"Really?" Italy responded. He sat back and thought to himself, that's a pity. He had been half expecting something of interest.

"Do you remember, Italy?" Germany asked suddenly.

"Me?" Italy eased into a single memory, a single image of a single person and his eyes shadowed over. "I..." The boy blinked, shaking the image from his mind. He looked over at Germany's calm expression. That takes me back, they're the same color as that boy's... Italy reached a hand out and gently touched Germany's face and he leaned forward, pressing his lips lightly against Germany's forehead. He pulled back and let his head fall against Germany's shoulder. "I remember. I haven't forgotten anything. But I haven't seen him in a long, long time." His bandaged hand reached back up and clung to Germany's shirt. "I'm scared I'll forget..."

"Italy..." Germany looked down at the boy's head, his expression soft.

"Grandpa Rome, that boy..." Italy continued. "Everyone I loved disappeared." Italy suddenly pulled back and he looked intently into Germany's face, searching for something. "I get so worried whenever you're away. As soon as you leave I'm wondering if you'll ever come back. What would I do if you never came back? Eating pizza and wurst together, training together, playing together...sleeping together." His amber eyes dropped. "We wouldn't be able to do those things anymore. I'd really hate that."

"Holy Roman Empire...you're really going..." a young Italy watched that black coat ride on the breeze. "You have to come back, okay?" He called out to the boy ahead of him, he took a few nervous steps forward and wrapped his fingers around his apron. "You promised!"

"I don't want the people I love to disappear anymore." Italy took a deep breath in and looked up at Germany before tilting his brows and throwing himself forward. His arms wrapped tightly around Germany's neck and he let his head fall into the crook of the blond man's neck. "You're my most precious friend Germany, I don't want you to go away!"

"Italy..." Germany closed his eyes before pulling away. "Wait!" He waved his hand in front of Italy's face. "A-as if I'd go away! Firstly, you wouldn't even last three seconds without me around." A flustered sound left him and he stood up above Italy, passing down onto him a stern expression. "Listen up Italy, stop trying to change yourself and acting out of character. If you need help I want you to call me immediately! If something happens, come find me!" The blonde put a hand to his forehead in exasperation. "Seeing you all beat up like this...it's painful." Italy stumbled to find words. "I'd rather you call me than have to bandage you up later. Got it?"

Italy let a smile grace him as he saluted, "yes sir!" Feeling satisfied, Germany nodded and then spun his finger around in a small circle.

"Okay, now come on, turn around, your back's hurt too."

"Ah! Ow!" Italy cried out as Germany's strong hands touched at his back bandages. "It hurts! It hurts, stop!"

"Don't make such weird noises!" Germany snapped back.

"Oh, but it hurts when you tie the bandages up," Italy whined as he lay on the bed. He stole a quick glance at the man above him and unwillingly let out a small laugh.

Germany frowned, "what's so funny?" He asked impatiently.

"I'm just really happy!" Italy put his head back onto his folded arms and relaxed as Germany continued to bandage him. "I got a lot of injuries and I'm really hurting, but I protected your house. These wounds are proof of my manliness."

"Yes, yes," Germany mumbled as if he had stopped paying attention to the conversation a few words back.

"Hey Germany," The younger boy ignored the half-hearted response. "If you were in my position, what would you have done?"

"Pardon?" The blonde asked as if to verify that he hadn't been listening entirely.

"I mean," Italy said, turning back to look up him. "Would you call me if you were in trouble? Even though I might be useless," he said it with such nonchalance that Germany blanched. "Would you ask me for help?"

Knowing what he wanted to hear, Germany sighed. "Ah...yeah." Apparently the answer was good enough for Italy beamed and contently closed his eyes.

"That means that you need me too!" While Italy relished in these words, Germany tied off the last bandage and stepped back.

"Okay, all done"

"Thank you!" Italy sat up sorely.

Germany looked up, waiting for Italy to say something else before he started putting away his supplies. "...Off you go. It's already late, get home." Italy suddenly touched at his stomach with a pathetic kind of expression.

"I'm hungry and I'm thirsty, I want to stay at your house." Germany gave a flat kind of look before closing his bag and shaking his head.

"If that's what you want..." He turned back to his med bag at the same time Italy flung himself off the bed and over to the window. The boy put his palms flat against the pane and stared in awe.

"Look, look! A falling star!" He watched it fall farther and farther over the horizon. "It'll grant your wishes! Ask it for something Germany!"

"Only children believe that..." he said offhandedly from the other side of the room.

"I wish I could eat delicious pasta...I wish I could eat delicious pasta, I wish I could eat delicious gelato, and I wish I could pick up girls!" Germany turned around and stared at the boy, trying to imagine just how Italy had managed to protect his house while he had been gone. "Um, and then, and then," Italy closed his eyes tightly. "I wish Germany and I can always be friends. I hope we can always be close." The blonde's expression softened as he took in each word. "I hope I can be with Germany forever and ever..." Italy turned away from the window and smiled.

"I love you Italy."

The boy blinked over at Germany who was still watching him silently, his expression fell and the smile that was on his face seemed to fall ever so slightly. I want to tell Germany I love him as much as that child told me he loved me... Italy needed away from these thoughts, so he pushed the smile higher up his face. Germany took a step closer and looked down on the younger boy with a studious look.

"Forget wishing about, if I'm not around you'll get in trouble, I wouldn't be able to sleep." Germany said blankly.

"Really?" Italy was pulled once again between these mixed emotion. "Then you'll always be my friend?"

"Yes," he answered with a long sigh, he stepped away and rubbed a hand through his platinum hair. "Okay, have something to eat and go straight to bed."

"Wait!" Germany halted and looked over his shoulder at the smaller boy. "Thank you Germany! Friendship kiss!"

"What?! What's that?" Italy raised his eyebrows and stepped closer sweetly.

"Come on, just do it!" Germany stared for a small second before scoffing and turning back around.

"That's enough with the teasing. I'm going to make some food," he waved a hand over his head as he left the room. "Rest there for now!" Italy watched him leave and then with a sigh, sat back down on the bed and pulled his coat in closer.

He shut his eyes and leaned back until his sore back hit the bed and he let out a small, strangled breath.

That boy told me he'd always loved me since the 900's... the seventeenth century came...then the eighteenth...and the nineteenth...but he never returned. You liar. Italy rolled over and pulled the blanket up clumsily around his shoulders.

Hey, Holy Roman Empire. I still haven't said my parting words to you. Not goodbye, I want to say please come home soon instead.