A/N: So... I wanted to write something for Christmas for my Romano. However, the song she sent me turned into this whole massive idea in my mind. So... here's the first installment. The song is "Almost Lover" by A Fine Frenzy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia or the song. Even though both are made of awesome.

Chapter 1 - Gilbert's Images

Your fingertips across my skin
The palm trees swaying in the wind
Images

They had been hanging out for years upon years. Hell, Gilbert couldn't even remember the exact day that he had first met Lovino. Their brothers had been dating since who-knew-when, and it was inevitable that Gilbert and Lovino would meet eventually, especially when the relationship between Ludwig and Feliciano became much more serious.

All Gilbert really knew was that he had liked Lovino from the beginning. He was a spunky sort of person, and Gilbert appreciated people like that. However, it seemed like Lovino had hated him to begin with. There were spats and yelling and name-calling - simply all the typical things one grew to expect from the loud Italian, whether he liked you or not. But eventually, Gilbert's awesomeness had won him over and they became close friends within months of meeting each other.

Gilbert wasn't sure when it had become more than friendship, really. At first, they were content with bitching about their respective brothers and watching ridiculous TV shows and eating out at terrible restaurants just to laugh at how bad the food was. Hell, they even went to bars together and spied on the pretty girls.

But it did change. Gilbert found himself watching his companion more than the girls at the bars and more than the shows on the TV (which was just ridiculous! the TV was much too interesting to not pay attention to!). And just a few months ago, he suddenly realized that he had feelings for the brat that had somehow managed to become his closest friend.

And suddenly Gilbert was hypersensitive to everything that happened around Lovino. The Italian reached up to pluck the chick off of Gilbert's head one day and accidentally brushed the skin of his cheek, causing the Prussian to jump nearly a mile high in startlement.

"What the hell?" Lovino screeched, jumping back himself. And Gilbert didn't blush, dammit! He didn't! But he felt just the tiniest bit ashamed for freaking out so badly. But really! There had been a fucking electric shock that ran through Lovino's fingertips into his face! He was sure of it!

Trying to laugh it off as if it hadn't even happened, Gilbert simply ruffled Lovino's hair - much to the Italian's disgust - and proclaimed that it nothing. After all, it was nothing.

Wasn't it…?

And yet still he found himself staring at Lovino any time they were near each other. More than once, Gilbert found himself reaching out towards the younger man to touch him, only to draw himself away at the very last second, earning puzzled looks from Lovino.

Of course, Gilbert knew that Lovino would eventually figure out that things had changed slightly - for the Prussian at least - but he did his best to put that off. After all, somehow Lovino had become his best friend. Perhaps because they both knew the pain of being overshadowed by their younger brothers. Gilbert didn't know.

All he knew was that he had inexplicably fallen in love with the Italian.

You sang me Spanish lullabies
The sweetest sadness in your eyes
Clever trick

The real shift came one day when the two of them were lounging around after a meal. Gilbert had suggested watching a movie (because it allowed him the chance to watch Lovi instead - a newfound passtime that Gilbert enjoyed immensely) but the younger man wasn't in the mood for movies.

"Well what do you want to do then?" the Prussian demanded in exasperation, peeved that his plans had been foiled.

A shrug was his response, followed by a haughty, "You're so goddam awesome. Come up with something."

At least Lovino admitted that he was awesome…

Yet, despite all his awesomeness, the most entertaining thing Gilbert could come up with was to watch Lovino. And so he set to that, feigning a thoughtful expression. To cover himself, he threw out suggestions that he knew Lovino would hate.

"Bowling?" he finally offered after many failed suggestions.

"Jesus, Gilbert, are you even trying to think of something? How lame are you?!"

While this comment hurt the Prussian's pride, he shrugged it off. "You come up with something then," he challenged.

Huffing, Lovino stood up and stormed towards his room. "Screw it. I'm going to bed." The door slammed solidly behind him.

And as he hadn't told Gilbert to leave, the older man decided that he could stay.

Maybe in Lovino's bed.

However, as he moved towards the room to commence the picking on of his friend, the soft clear tones of a song met his ears and he stopped, pressing his head to the door.

It was there. A quiet voice singing. And in Spanish too. Gilbert had never heard Lovino sing, so it came as a shock to him when he opened the door a crack - very silently! - to discover that it was the Italian singing.

And Lovino was crying.

Well, I never wanna see you unhappy
I thought you'd want the same for me

Immediately, Gilbert knew why. Lovino had been in a very serious relationship with Gilbert's Spanish friend, Antonio, up until a few years previously. Until Antonio had called the whole thing off without so much as an explanation. Of course, Antonio had always been a flighty individual like that.

But obviously Lovino was still hurting.

As much as Gilbert wanted to comfort the usually surly young man, he couldn't bring himself to do it. After all, this was a very private moment. Not that he usually respected private moments, but… Well, for Lovino he could.

Of course, when Lovino announced that he and the Spaniard were suddenly getting back together two days later, Gilbert regretted not having gone into the room.

He loved Lovi. But the Italian was so happy - well… he wasn't swearing as much… that meant he was happy - that Gilbert kept his mouth shut and acted pleased for his friend, the man he loved.

Goodbye my almost lover
Goodbye my hopeless dream
I'm trying not to think about you
Can't you just let me be?

So long, my luckless romance
My back is turned on you
Should've known you'd bring me heartache
Almost lovers always do

And Gilbert decided to let Lovino go.