It was so quick for him but so slow for me. The bullet drove through his chest and exploded out of his back, splattering the dark red blood on my face and shirt. I was frozen as it quickly became cold. He fell to his knees then forward into the muddy earth. I couldn't hold back the scream that made my throat burn; all eyes were on me. I've screamed many times in my life-too many to count but, this was different. I wasn't scared or fleeing something; it was worse than anything I'd ever felt before…pure anguish: pain, heartbreak, loss and sorrow. All this was released from me so quickly, I almost couldn't believe it.

I rushed forward and dropped into the mud beside him; I lifted his head into my lap and stared down at him. His perfect blue eyes were lazy but still open, looking up at me. My tears fell onto his cheeks; washing away some of the mud then he smiled at me.

"Germany…why are you…smiling, doesn't it…hurt?" I sobbed out.

He weakly raised his right arm and touched my face, the fabric of his gloves was leathery and hard…it was nothing like his skin at all. I reached up and held it there regardless.

"You said…you liked it…when I smiled before…right?" he asked.

I sobbed harder as they gathered around us; I heard Japan's voice far away calling for help. People were coming to help us…to help him. His hand moved beneath mine and my eyes opened wide.

"Italy…would you smile…just once?" he asked.

I began to shake without control, my stomach was turning; I've never felt so horrible in my life! I shook my head. "I can't smile right now; you're hurt-"I almost said more but his hand moved again, it slipped from mine a little.

"Please, Italy…for me?" He kept on smiling at me.

I felt my heart lurch and I smiled; I gave him my best smile, the best I had! I never smiled at anyone the way I smiled at Germany. He found it annoying more than anything but he was asking for it now? All my feelings started to rush around inside me, the butterflies from before-they were going crazy! They started forming words then finally they broke free.

"I love you, Germany!" I said loud enough for everyone to hear.

A moment later he closed his eyes and his hand slipped from mine…that was it then…he was gone!

I shook violently then threw my head back and let out a shriek worse than before. "GERMANY!"