Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia or any of its characters.

So I just re-watched episode 12, where Italy hugs Japan, and I was inspired to write this...

It was a beautiful morning, and Kiku Honda had gotten up early to enjoy it. He really needed some alone time, since Italy had been bothering him constantly lately. Not that he disliked the other nation, of course. He could just be incredibly tiresome, not to mention embarrassing. Like that day when he had hugged Kiku. Hugged. Kiku shuddered at the mere memory. No, it was definitely more peaceful without Italy around. And peace was what he needed right now. Kiku looked up into the cloudless blue sky and rested his back against the big tree. A small sigh of contentment escaped his lips. This was the life. He closed his eyed.

"Hello Japan!" When Kiku woke, it was to hear someone excitedly calling his name. He rubbed his eyes and stretched.

"Hello, Italy-san."

Italy's smiling face came into view, standing over him. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Japan, were you sleeping? I'll go and leave you in peace now, but watch out for Germany, he is very angry today, you won't believe how mean he was to me just now, he made me do twenty push-ups just because I spilled a teensy little bit of tomato sauce on his uniform jacket, isn't that unfair? I wonder what's wrong with him, anyway, you'd better stay out of his way, oh, and I was meant to tell you that lunch is ready, are you coming?"

Kiku listened to this tirade impassively. The way Italy spoke, animated and without pausing for breath, was exhausting to follow.

"So, are you coming or not?" Italy prompted.

Kiku nodded and got slowly to his feet, only to find Italy looking at him unhappily.

"What is it, Italy-san?" Kiku asked, ever polite.

"Why is it you never show your emotions, Japan? I never know when you are happy or angry or sad or anything. You never smile, or shout, or cry, or even sound excited about anything, ever. Do you even have feelings? The only time you've even reacted to anything was when I hugged you, and you pushed me and hurt me really bad." The young Italian gazed at him forlornly.

Kiku nodded slowly. "Of course I have feelings. Everyone has feelings. I just prefer not to show them, that is all. And physical contact makes me uncomfortable," he added, slightly defensively. He still felt bad about having reacted so violently. But still, he didn't think Italy should have invaded his private space like that.

Italy looked at him, seeming concerned. "But doesn't that make it much harder to spend time with other countries?"

Kiku shrugged noncommittally. Italy was right, it did make it difficult to get along with others. "Maybe you are right, Italy-san. I should try and be more open."

Italy's face broke into a happy smile. "That's great, Japan. Why don't you start right now? Come on, tell me how you feel."

Kiku started to say something, then he blushed. This was even harder than he expected. Didn't Italy realise how embarrassing this was for him?

"Come, on, Japan, don't be shy, I'm your friend!" Italy coaxed.

Kiku sighed. Italy was so persistent. Fine, he would say what he was thinking.

"I appreciate that you worry about me, Italy-san. You're a good friend."

That was the most difficult thing Kiku had done in his life.

Italy looked at him speechlessly, as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard. Then he started smiling. He looked so childish and happy that Kiku could not hold back his laughter, and Italy looked at him in astonishment. Then, before Kiku could do anything to prevent it, he hugged him tightly and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"You look so cute when you laugh, Kiku. You should laugh more often."

And Italy was gone, running across the lawn, not wanting to be late for lunch. Kiku sank to his knees, shocked. He was never going to share his feelings with Italy again. Never.

Thanks for reading, reviews appreciated :)