I wasn't sure what time it was by the time I awoke, but the pitter-patter noise of the rain hitting the roof was loud enough to wake me. My body felt heavy and I began to wonder if it was due to this weather – or rather me being stupid enough to run out in this kind of weather. I felt like I had to gather up all my strength into my arm just to lift it so I could rub my tired eyes; my arm feeling as if I had just finished lifting weights. However it was only when I felt something warm in the palm of my hand did I realize something warm was clasping it gently. Turning my head, my tired eyes came onto a sight so beautiful it made me forget the horrible weather beyond the walls of the house. A sleeping Elizabeta stayed beside me; her long locks like perfectly soft waves of silk that weren't touched by the common case of bed head that I usually suffered from. Despite it being so dark last night, even my idiot brother could probably tell the poor woman was probably pale from being so scared last night; thankfully though it seemed some color had returned to her face now that she had gotten some sleep. Was this was Roderich got to see every morning? This angel of a woman sleeping so peacefully that her touch alone could bring someone comfort? 'Ugh, what am I thinking this for? Elizabeta is like my sister.'

Reaching into my pocket I fished out my phone, flipping it open to see that there was not a single message from Antonio. 'Bastardo probably got drunk off his ass and doesn't even realize I'm not home. Why do I even put up with that moron?' Still, looking at the time it seemed that I had overslept and judging from the looks outside the weather lightened up a bit. Carefully I moved, inching my way closer to the edge of the bed in hopes of doing it without waking Elizabeta. It was a close call since she had moved a bit the moment I got onto my feet and had to move my hand from her grasp, but the Hungarian woman still slept soundly and undisturbed. I smiled once more before I looked down at her sleeping figure. Was it wrong of me to leave her alone without seeing how she was feeling? Possibly even though it wasn't like she invited me over. I sighed before placing my hand over my face as I felt a bit light-headed; grasping the bed for support until things went suddenly black.

"Romano…Romano…Romano!"

My eyes fluttered open weakly at the sound of my name being called; my vision blurry at first before it began to slowly clear the more I blinked. It was only when my vision was completely clear did I see the distressed face of Elizabeta who looked down at me. "Ow…my head…" I muttered.

"Oh thank goodness! I was seriously worried!" Elizabeta said before she hugged me tightly as I propped myself up with my elbows.

"E-Elizabeta? What…what happened?" I asked, my memory a bit fuzzy as I tried to process everything.

"You tell me mister! I was sleeping until I heard a noise and when I looked over, you're on the floor out cold and burning up!" she explained before her hand suddenly pressed itself to my forehead. "Oh no, you're still warm. You must have gotten a fever from sleeping in those wet clothes. Oh this is my entire fault, I'm sorry Romano! Um, maybe a cold shower will bring it down! C-Can you stand?" she asked, scrambling to her feet before extending her hand out for me to grab.

A fever? Honestly I didn't feel a thing but then again, not many people who are sick can feel their own fever. After nodding my head to her question, I took Elizabeta's hand and stumbled onto my feet with her help; however my body swayed and I was grateful Elizabeta was there to support me like a human crutch.

"Are you going to be able to stand in a shower by yourself? What if you collapse and hit your head?" she asked, her voice clearly sounding as if she was beginning to panic over the idea.

"Elizabeta, per favore si calmi (please calm down). I'll be fine. Besides, I probably stink anyways…and I'd hate to dirty up your bed if I tried lying down." I said with a chuckle, trying to ease her worried mind.

It took some effort on my part to walk as normal as I could without leaning on Elizabeta for support as she led me to the bathroom, but upon finally getting there I began to realize that maybe I was not as fine as I had told my female friend. She seemed a bit hesitant on leaving me, but somehow I had managed to convince her to leave. "Che cosami entrare? (What did I get myself into?)" I mumbled to myself, rubbing the back of my head as I left out another sigh. My body felt heavy as I forced myself to strip out of my clothes; nearly falling over when I had to remove my pants. As I waited for the water to warm up, I found myself looking at the door and wondered if Elizabeta was on the other side – staying near in case I needed her. That was always the Elizabeta I knew, a woman who cared for those close to her like a mother would her children. I still envy my brother for getting to stay with Elizabeta while I was sent to live with that foolish Spaniard.

Upon placing my hand under the water to test the temperature, I removed the last bits of what clothing I had before stepping into the shower. I had to admit, the water hitting my body felt nice and calming. Still, I only hoped that my being sick would not burden Elizabeta and make her think this was all her fault. Was was it that I felt so compelled to run to her? Maybe because she sounded so scared despite being the toughest woman I know and it didn't seem like her. Still, why did I have every urge in my body to just hold her close? Or feel angry at myself for not coming to her side sooner when she needed someone the most? Why though was my heart pounding hard in my chest whenever she was in my grasp? Was it possible that I...no...how foolish of me to think such things.

It didn't take me long to shower, which did make me feel a bit better once I had finished. Upon stepping out of the shower though, I was surprised to see that my wet clothes I had left before were now replaced with dry clothes. No doubt Elizabeta felt it was her responsibility to wash my wet clothes and give me new clothes while I wait. However they just seemed to be lounging clothes – a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. What bothered me the most was that Elizabeta had also taken my boxers, meaning that I would have to spend a few hours commando in clothes I figured belonged to Roderich – crap. Still I had no other choice and put the clothes on, just in time before there was a knock on the door.

"Romano? Are you alright in there?" Elizabeta asked from the other side.

"Ah, bene Elizabeta." I replied.

"Ah, okay. Antonio is on the phone, do you want to talk to him?" she asked politely.

Figure that now that Spaniard decided to call and check on me. Probably realized I was gone when nobody fetched him some coffee to rid his morning hangover. "Tell that bastardo to go and suck a tomato...stronzo." I said, muttering the last part to myself. I sighed heavily before I opened the door and getly took the phone from Elizabeta. "What do you want you stupid ubriacone(drunkard)?" I asked, my tone obviously revealing how annoyed I was. I felt like my ear would bleed after listening to Antonio ramble on after the first two minutes how he was sorry that he left me home alone and that I was apparently sick. "Yeah well not like I need you anyways you idiota! And tell those other bastardo friends of yours to stay the hell out of my room! I know that French cazzo stole two pairs of my boxers the last time he was there!" I shouted before hanging up the phone before I could even hear Antonio's reply. "That guy...he gives me such a headache..." I muttered, holding my head as I stood there.

"Then why don't you lie down? I'll make you something to eat and some tea." Elizabeta said with a faint smile before this time both her hand came up and cupped my face, gently guiding me to bend down a bit to her level so her forehead could press itself to mine. "Hmm...you still feel a bit warm, and your face looks a bit red. Come on Romano, you should go rest." Elizabeta explained, her hands moving from my face to my hand that she held firmly yet still gently as she led me to an empty bedroom.

I definitely felt like a kid who was being tucked in by their mother as I climbed into the bed. Pathetic of a grown man being taken care of like this huh?

"Alright, I'll be right back with the food and tea, you just rest up Romano." Elizabeta said before she moved closer – something I was expecting.

Was surprised me more was that when she had moved closer, my eyes widened as I realized her lips had kissed the top of my head. Why? Why did things like this make me break down little by little to where all my strength to resist was becoming futile? No man deserved a woman like her...not snobby Roderich or that perverted Gilbert. Why was it the more I was around her, the more I felt like I was in an all out war between what my mind was telling me...and what my heart was. Why was I being such a coward to tell her how I felt? Was it because I still didn't know what those feeling were? No...I knew...the problem I was facing was the fear of knowing that they would just be one-sided. I'm probably nothing more than a big brother to Elizabeta in her eyes, someone she can call when she needs them the most. I had no right to tell her these feelings for her I suppressed for so many years. She and I...were only fated to be just friends. Still, as she pulled and turned away, it was as if my body was taking the side of what my heart desired; my hand reaching out and grabbing her hand in the same manner she had held mine – it not just a bit tighter.

I watched as she turned to look at me with those emerald gems of hers, and yet I could not bring myself to look at her beautiful face.

"Romano? Is something wrong?" she asked.

Now was my moment, my chance to pull her into my arms and pour my heart out. How could I though? How could I tell the woman I had been friends with for so long that I no longer wanted to be seen as just her friend?

'Elizabeta...'