AN: Why must I torture myself..? I found a HRE tribue video on Youtube set to I Will Always Return from Spirit. And I got to thinking.. always a bad thing.

Hope you enjoy.

"Italy, Holy Rome isn't coming back,"Hungary said quietly, trying to get the youngster away from the window by the door. Italy had been there for days. Wouldn't eat or sleep. Hardly spoke.

Italy looked back, eyes wide open and lost. "Yes, he will. He'll come back. He promised."

That hope. That hope would get him hurt, Hungary thought. "At least come eat and take a nap. If...when...he does return, he'll be mad if you're dead on your feet from waiting on him to return."

Hungary had been right, Italy thought now. He was currently seated in the meadow that he'd first met Holy Rome in as a child, tears falling from his eyes. He'd lost hope of the other boy ever returning. He hid his face in his hands as the tears fell. "You promised..."he whispered to thin air. Nobody was there to hear, anyways. Who would care?

He knew that if Romano could see him right now, he'd be mad. Because he had a promise from his younger brother that he wouldn't cry over Holy Rome anymore. He was gone, he'd fallen long ago. But..his soul was still around somewhere, in some new nation or empire. That's how it worked.

He shoved the hope that came with that down. He didn't need to hope. It would only lead to him getting hurt again.

The sobs coming from the italian had drawn attention from someone who'd just entered the meadow though.

A soft German voice sounded next to him, making Italy look up. "Hey, you okay?"

Italy blinked at the German in surprise. The kindness hiding in his blue eyes, the way he wore his hair. It was just like...

"Holy Rome..?"

Germany tilted his head curiously, sitting down completely and watching the italian for a long moment. "Italy, right?"

Italy nodded, drying his eyes.

Had he just met Holy Rome's reincarnate? Italy asked himself silently.

Silence lapsed before Germany spoke again. "I'm Germany,"he said softly, offering a hand for the italian to shake.

Italy half smiled, shaking his hand. "Sorry..you just reminded me of an old friend."

Germany nodded. "Austria told me."

Still, for all that Italy tried, he couldn't help think that Germany truly was Holy Rome. How he acted was exactly like Holy Rome.

He felt it confirmed when Germany took hold of one of his hands and kissed his knuckles before they parted ways. Holy Rome always used to do that.

Italy went back home, to find an old piece of parchment on his door. He grabbed the paper and unlocked and opened the door, going inside before he unfolded it. He smiled at the familiar writing.

Even if Holy Rome wasn't still truly around, he could still find ways to leave notes. He'd done this before. Once apologizing and once promising that he'd see Italy again soon. This time, Italy found himself shell shocked.

'Italy, this will be my final note. Because by the time you get this, you'll have met me again. I promised you I'd always return to you. And I will, just in ways that seem different. The male who took on my soul goes by Ludwig. Perhaps you know him by a different name? No matter what you know him by, I'll talk to you again soon.'

No signature. None of them had a signature. That was okay. Italy knew who they were from.

Ludwig, huh? That's a nice name, Italy thought.

During the day, Germany and him had got to know one another, human names included. He had indeed met Holy Rome's reincarnate today.

He was glad that Holy Rome hadn't completely disappeared.

I do, in fact, believe that Germany is Holy Rome. I always have.