Written as part of the OTP Boot Camp Challenge.
Prompt: Zero
"Give me some time to explain." Germany begs Italy, standing at the door to the nations' home, where ultimately Italy had locked him out. Germany doesn't even know truly what he's done wrong, but he supposes that it's got something to do with how he's so mundane with relationships, and his partner always seems to want more.
The door opens up slightly, but it's not open wide enough for the blonde to see his brunette. Germany wonders why his normally cheerful Italian is so angry at him – isn't he usually the one to get annoyed? The usually bubbly façade of Italy subdued, as he glares out of the crack in the open door. Germany knows that he can't push the door open, because of the chain on the latch.
"No." Italy mumbles angrily, he adds in a string of curses in his language that Germany realises must have been taught to him by Romano, before going to close the door. The door doesn't close; instead it's blocked by Germany's foot.
"Give me five minutes to explain."
Italy shakes his head – Germany knows that now, his partner is at his most reluctant, but he tries anyway.
"You can have a minute." Italy finally replies, staring at the floor. His brown hair covers his eyes, and he bites at his lower lip, a sign that he's upset. He opens the door slightly, making it so that Germany's foot is not crushed.
"Thank you." Germany starts, raking his mind through the several things he wants to say. He misses some of them, things that are disregarded as unimportant, and opens his mouth to start speaking the ones that matter.
"Well... you're always asking me how I feel towards you, and the truth is... I like you. I like you a lot."
Italy raises his eyebrows, staring at Germany in defiance. Germany knows that telling his lover that he 'likes' him is not enough anymore, and that he needs to hear those three words that catch in his throat. He continues,
"You make me happy."
He's only got twenty seconds left, Italy counts.
"You make me laugh."
Seventeen seconds until he can close the door.
"You're thoughtful."
Thirteen seconds until he doesn't have to hear the same thing all the time.
"You're different."
Ten seconds remaining.
"You're a little crazy, and things can get awkward sometimes-" six seconds, "and you're smile alone can make my day."
Italy watches Germany slowly, his eyes clouded with doubt. He watches the blonde run a hand back through his hair, as his brown eyes meet Germany's blue. With his hand wrapped around the door handle, Italy wants to close the door so much, but he doesn't, because he promised Germany a minute – and god be damned, he'll give Germany that much.
"And... and Italy..."
The five seconds go by slowly, but after the countdown hits zero, Italy looks away from Germany, his hand gripping around the handle until his knuckles are white.
"Minutes up." Italy mumbles, closing the door without a second thought. Germany stares at the door in disbelief, his eyes widening slightly.
"But..." Germany's voice is quiet, "but... I didn't get to tell you I l-love you."
It all happens so quickly. Germany hears the rattling of a chain, and then the door opens so quickly that it causes a loud 'bang' as it hits the wall. The Germanic nation doesn't even have time to take notice of the door though, focusing his attention at the brunette that throws himself across the threshold and into his arms.
"I love you too." Italy mutters through happy tears. "Ti amo Ludwig."
"Ich liebe dich Feliciano."