It was my birthday yesterday, July 18. . It's now 2 AM, I'm fifteen, and here's your birthday present.

"Things that are soft," he says gruffly, embarrassed, "like candle flames, blankets, kittens, easy chairs- these are what you must think of. Your worries weigh you down far too much for you to relax. Think of them, and then brush them away, like dust on your favorite jacket."

Ludwig gently kisses Feliciano's forehead, his cheeks shaded a soft pink, and rolls over to his side of the bed, his back to the smaller man.

Feliciano closes his eyes and snuggles close to Ludwig, despite the serious nation's coldness, and whispers softly, as if to himself, "You remind me of a boy I once knew... Kind and sweet and gentle, his cheeks would flush like yours when I said his name. He always walked with his shoulders back and chest high, like he was king of the world, and yet would stop and smile shyly whenever he saw me. He had blonde hair and big, pretty blue eyes, and Germany, I miss him... I miss my..."

His voice falters. He cannot continue, cannot speak the boy's name any longer. It is a long-remembered, well-kept secret, and he will not let it go now. Long has it been since his brother, and Austria and Hungary, have forgotten him, but Italy will always remember.

Ludwig rolls over again and tucks the Italian nation into his arms, the boy's auburn hair soft against his chest.

For a moment, Ludwig feels a sense of déjà-vu as he leans down to kiss the Italian's tears away, but he brushes the feeling away.

Feliciano sighs softly, and whispers three little words for Ludwig before he slips into the realm of dreams.

"I love you."

Feliciano will always remember his first love. But with Ludwig by his side, healing him slowly with every kiss and whispered word, he has decided.

Memories are for another day, for when they are old men like Wang Yao and have seen all that the world can offer. But right now, as they live amongst all of the world's excitement and fresh youth, Feliciano cannot help but grasp tight to Ludwig's hand and show him happiness, true happiness, in his smiles.

Because a fake smile is for the days of sadness, and brokenness, clouds and dark skies.

And with Ludwig, the skies can only ever be sunny.

~End~

I hope you liked it. Please review. 3

~wbm