Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.

I want to thank my lovely beta, virelay~ She's awesome.

Enjoy.

Prologue

October 18, 1945

Feliciano was sitting alone on the bench outside of the room where the trials were being held against Ludwig's bosses and leaders. He cringed and occasionally fidgeted every time he heard his former ally clear his throat or cough. He knew that was a nervous habit of his old friend. Well, not so much a friend anymore but Feliciano always had a hard time abandoning people; even if they no longer wanted him around.

The corridor was awfully quiet and Feliciano looked around nervously, feeling the walls cave in. He started to sweat and he loosened his tie slightly. He didn't even know if he should be here right now. The last time Ludwig saw him it didn't go very well, as if the bruised eye and cracked ribs weren't a reminder. He had suffered worse things, he figured.

He stood from the bench and started pacing the corridor, focusing on the paintings and wall decorations. Even the wallpaper. It was beige with peach colored embroidery. The paintings were mostly portraits of people he did not know; they were portraits of older men, some wearing suits and others in military attire. Why was he here again? His pacing turned frantic and his better sense was telling him to leave right now before the meeting let out.

He didn't.

He stopped at a random portrait and started reading the description underneath. He didn't attach his mind to the words. He just wanted to focus on something that wasn't in the room next to him and what would happen when those doors opened. He closed his eyes, trying desperately to push the memory of the past three years out of his mind.

There was a sudden crashing sound from inside, and the doors burst open. Feliciano nearly shrieked in fright when he saw Ludwig stagger out, his hand covering his mouth as if it was to keep words from spilling forth. He hadn't noticed Feliciano standing there yet. He just stood there opposite to him, shaking his head and moving to sit on the bench, slumping forward with his head in his hands.

Feliciano watched this emotional display and took a very small step forward, "Ludwig?" He said his name so softly it might as well have been a whisper, "Buongiorno…Ludwig," he started to stutter and he tried to focus on why he was here again. Why was he here again?

He froze in his place when Ludwig looked up quickly and gave him a glare that was unlike anything he had ever seen. "I thought I told you to never call me that," he said gruffly and controlled, as if those were not the words he had wanted to say. "You don't have the right to be so informal with me, Italy."

Feliciano had expected this, it wasn't so new. He took a step back and gulped, "Dispiace…" He said quietly, "I just wanted to make sure you were okay…"

Ludwig let out a laugh. It was…different. It wasn't a happy laugh nor was it angry and it sent a chill down Feliciano's spine. Ludwig was smiling, too. That was…unnerving for Feliciano considering the circumstances, "Ludw-" he shook his head, "Germany…please…"

He was cut off by Ludwig clearing his throat loudly, "No!" He said it with force but it wasn't threatening, "No, you should just go away, Italy." He didn't look at Feliciano he just stared at his hands. Or was it the floor? Feliciano couldn't tell.

Feliciano nodded and began to turn around, "I'm sorry," he said, "I didn't want this to happen…I really didn't." He stood a little straighter, "I know you don't believe me but…it's true, I'm not a liar."

Ludwig let out a loud scoff. "You…are pathetic, Italy," he said with seriousness, "It is unbelievable how someone with such a rich, strong history can be as weak as you are." Ludwig shook his head, "you're just living off a legacy and it's a waste."

Feliciano bit his lip; it was a nervous habit he had developed since the beginning of the war. Whenever he was angry he would bite his lip. He didn't know why he had the impulsive habit; he only knew that whenever he felt he was going to say something he knew he would regret, he would bite his lip to keep from saying it. He let out a small laugh, no one would ever understand… In response to Ludwig's insult, he merely turned and nodded, "Maybe you're right," he forced out, starting to walk away. "I'll see you around, Germany."

As he walked down the corridor, he was slightly paranoid that the German man would become angry and hurt him like he did the last time. He didn't. Feliciano only heard silence, a deafening silence as he walked towards the exit. Forgiveness was difficult. Feliciano was still having trouble for forgiving Germany, not that his forgiveness really mattered much to the German.

Feliciano also had a hard time forgiving himself. However, in the long run it was the best thing for his people. It took some time before that fact really sunk into Feliciano's mind, but it was. His brother was right.

His brother. Feliciano felt like crying. Ever since the surrender things had been tense between them. Feliciano had been frustrated and upset while Lovino was calm and reserved. It wasn't bad, but the romance they had shared together was damaged. They didn't hold hands. They didn't hug one another. They didn't do anything. They didn't even sleep in the same bed anymore.

Since things had calmed down for them and the country, they had tried repairing the relationship that they had to the way it was. Feliciano felt so horrible, and he kept apologizing to his brother desperately. Every time Lovino told him everything was okay, Feliciano felt like his brother was just trying to hide from everything again. Feliciano tried to talk to him, to help him, but his brother refused to go into it. This only made Feliciano feel guiltier.

Feliciano felt so horrible about everything he began to sleep in the guest bedroom of their home in Roma. Lovino didn't complain about it. He even told Feliciano he was allowed to sleep wherever he wanted as it was their home, and he shouldn't feel compelled to sleep with him. Feliciano didn't like that. He wanted to talk about the war, he wanted to talk about the atrocities and how it hurt his brother almost as much as it hurt him. He wanted to apologize and he wanted Lovino to really hear it. Lovino never wanted to talk about any of it. "It's over, you're safe, we're safe," he would say. "What's done is done, just forget it."

He felt a shudder tear through him at that moment and he winced, leaning against the wall for support. This was normal. Ever since the war started he had been getting battle pains. They weren't so bad in the last few months since the end of the war but his people were still suffering. He didn't sleep well at night and he wasn't eating as well as he used to, both were punishments he felt he deserved. After all he ignored the pain his people were in for years just so that he could restore his country's respect. That turned out to be a joke.

"Sir?" A voice interrupted his thoughts, "Are you alright?" It was the doorman at the entrance.

Feliciano smiled and nodded. "Ah, si, si," he said quickly, straightening out and walking forwards, "just tired and a little hungry is all!" He thanked the man as he opened the door for him and walked out of the building, getting his keys out of his pocket.

It would be a long drive home.

Feliciano had stopped by their home in Roma to find a note inside an envelope from his brother taped to the front door. He was terrified to see what the letter said but it was only a slip of paper that read, 'At the cottage in Firenze, come by if you want.' Feliciano smiled at that last part. His brother wanted him to come. Sure, he left it open for Feliciano to decide, but Feliciano knew his brother better than that. Then again, Lovi had a talent for throwing curveballs. Feliciano shrugged, it was better to think positive. After all, they hadn't been to that cottage since shortly after their Unification.

That place held the best memories for them both.

Feliciano returned to his car and checked the gas and mileage before heading off again. Firenze was a good four hours away, but he'd drive anywhere as long he knew his fratello was there.

By the time Feliciano arrived in Firenze it was extremely late. Normally, he would be in bed at this hour. Not that he slept much, but still. When he arrived at the old cottage he felt like he could fall asleep as soon as he parked the car. He stretched after getting out and walked up to the old cottage that he and his brother used to share when they were younger. The grass was freshly cut. Nothing changed. Everything was kept to the way it was. Like it was frozen in time. The only thing that triggered an alarm in Feliciano's head was that his favorite garden was uprooted. All the flowers gone. He tried to push back the feeling of his heart in his throat.

Feliciano tapped on the door before entering the small house, knowing his brother would be in bed by now. He took his jacket off and hung it on the back of the door as he closed it quietly. There was a gentle pressure being applied to his legs and he looked down to see Cameo, their cat, rubbing against him. He smiled, "Buonasera, Cameo," he whispered as he picked her up, "Papa brought you with him, huh? I guess he wants to stay up here for a while."

"Feli."

Feliciano gasped loudly and turned towards the hallway, seeing his brother standing there looking at him. "Fratello! You're still awake at this hour?" He smiled and put Cameo back on the floor. "Are you alright?" He became fearful when he remembered where he went today. He was sort of hoping his brother wouldn't ask about it. He didn't want Lovino to be irritated with him when they were trying to make things better.

Lovino looked tired and worn out. "I was waiting for you," he replied, "I'm…glad you came." He walked over to his brother and pulled him into a gentle hug. "How was the drive?"

Feliciano was almost shocked, his brother had avoided physical contact the last few weeks, and Feliciano was starting to get the feeling like he didn't want him anymore. Regardless, Feliciano fell into the hug, savoring the moment. "It was fine, fratello," he said with a smile as he wrapped his arms around his brother and rubbed his back soothingly. "It was no fun without you."

Lovino chuckled softly, "I got here around eleven in the morning." He added, "There was a lot of cleaning that needed to be done, the grass was overgrown and there were a lot of weeds in your favorite garden."

"Oh…is that why it's torn up?" Feliciano asked, pulling away to look his brother in the eyes.

Lovino nodded. "It wasn't what I wanted to do," he said quietly, his eyes somewhat distant. "I just didn't see any other way around it."

Feliciano smiled and put a hand on his brother's shoulder. "That's alright, while I'm up here I can plant a new garden," he said, trying to get his brother to smile. "I'll go down to the village and get some seeds and there will be a new, beautiful garden for us to look at."

Lovino nodded, "That… sounds good, fratello," he said, fatigue evident in his voice as he spoke.

Feliciano faltered slightly when his brother gave him a piercing look, it wasn't harsh, but it was intense. "Cosa? What is it?"

Lovino didn't hesitate or stutter, "You went to the trial today didn't you?" There was no indignation in his voice. It was spoken bluntly and with no malice. It was…empty.

Feliciano's lips trembled slightly and his eyes felt like they would tear up as he nodded. "Si…"

Lovino nodded as if he were answering a question in his own head. "You saw him?"

Another nod.

"Did he hurt you again?" This question had a twinge of threat behind it.

"No, fratello." Feliciano was nervous. There were so many directions this conversation could go. He just hoped it would go toward progress.

Another nod. "Well, I'm going to bed. Today was long for us both."

So much for progress. Feliciano felt like he had been dropped, "Fratello…we need to talk about it…per favore…"

"No." That was that. Lovino reached the hallway and turned to face him. "Soon, fratello, lo prometto," Feliciano nodded quickly and blushed, feeling like a child again. Lovino gestured to the bedroom, "Are you coming to bed?"

Feliciano smiled and nodded, "Si…is it okay if I sleep with you, fratello? I'll sleep on the couch if you want…"

"You're not sleeping on the couch, Feli," Lovino said sternly before smiling softly, "You can sleep with me in our bedroom." Then he added so softly Feliciano could barely hear it, "I never wanted you to sleep anywhere else…"

Feliciano smiled, he felt like they were getting there; maybe not through conversation, but through simple things. Small steps to repairing what, Feliciano felt like, he had broken years ago. He nodded happily and followed his brother into their bedroom, noting once more how nothing in the room had changed. He undressed as his brother climbed into the bed, getting halfway under the covers. Feliciano blushed lightly as he messily folded his clothes on the chair next to the nightstand. They hadn't slept in the same bed since Feliciano moved back into their home in Roma. Feliciano could feel his brother's eyes on him and he felt the blush extend throughout his body.

He approached the bed slowly and climbed in, making sure to keep to his own side and turning over to where his back was facing his brother. "Buonanotte, fratello," he said quietly.

Feliciano gasped quietly when Lovino scooted closer and put an arm around his waist, pulling them closer. "Buonanotte, tesoro," Lovino replied softly, planting a small kiss on Feliciano's shoulder before nuzzling the back of his neck and closing his eyes. "Ti amo."

Feliciano almost let out a quiet sob and turned around, hugging Lovino close. "Anch'io ti amo, caro," he whispered while burying his face in the crook of Lovino's neck. He felt his brother place a small kiss on his forehead before he succumbed to sleep. Things were getting better.

Tomorrow he would replant the garden.

The story will be broken down into parts which will have 3-4 chapters each. Part 1 covers their lives living with Austria/Roderich.

Italian

Buon giorno- good day/hello

Buona sera- good evening

fratello- brother

tesoro- treasure

caro- dear/darling

ti amo- I love you (romantically)

anch'io ti amo- (I love you, too)