"Don't let go, okay!"

Italy nodded, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Even though Italy has a light body, Thought Germany. I don't think I can pull him up. Shit! What do I do?

Germany could feel the smooth fabric of his glove slip in Italy's soaked hand. He grunted, and grabbed Italy's wrist with his free hand, trying in vain to pull him back up. "Just hang on!"

"I trust you!" Italy's eyes were shining with tears.

Germany could feel Italy's hand slip away inch by inch, and soon, only their fingers were touching now.

"Italy, I-I can't!" Germany sobbed. "You're slipping!"

Italy's face hardened. "Drop me."

Germany gripped Italy even tighter. "Never!"

"I said drop me, dammit!" Italy shouted. Germany looked shocked to hear him say such a word. "I won't have you die because I almost fell off a stupid bridge! Just drop me Germany, I don't want both of us to die!"

"No!" Germany snarled. "If you die, I die too! If you fall, I'm going down with you!"

He closed his eyes as he said it. Italy's fingers finally slid out of Germany's.

"I love you!" Italy screamed in terror.

Germany squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn't hear anything but a huge pounding. He listened for a thud, a sound, anything he could possibly make out over the thunk-thunk, thunk-thunk of his heart. Tears as blue as his eyes pooled themselves in his irises, and spilled over. He made as if to jump over the barrier.

"Woah, there!"

A strong but friendly hand settled on his shoulder.

"Britain?" Germany said in disbelief, his face clouded with pain.

"Are you alright?" The many-browed country asked.

"No!" He grunted. "I was about to jump!"

"We know." Britain said. "We saw Italy fall-"

"AND YOU DIDN'T DO ANYTHING?" Germany screamed. "FUCK ALL OF YOU! YOU COULD'VE SAVED HIM! NOW HE'S DEAD! JUST A GOD DAMN DROWNED, CRACKED CORPSE! FUCK!"

But, as he spoke, a haze began to make itself known, and it drifted over his eyes, pulling him into a deep sleep.