Only a Few Words ~Chapter 2

Italia fell on his knees, breathing deeply. He finally made it to big brother Spain's home, and he was so relieved~ it had taken some time, and he was starving now.. He pulled himself up and wiped the dirt from his pants, (he changed out of his normal maid attire, to a beige shirt and brown pants, better suited for travel) and knocked on Spain's door. He waited only a few moments until he found his own blood brother opening the door!

Romano stood there eating a ripe tomato and tapping his toe as he saw his brother. "Che. Hey, fratello." He greeted him, taking another bite. "Didn't expect you to show up.. Don't you usually have mister four eyes with ya when you visit?"

Italia smiled and grabbed Romano into a tight, strong hug, and smiled widely. "Veeee~ they didn't come, but I've missed you so much!" He nuzzled his brother before releasing the hug.

"Ahhh, Is that my precious Ita-chan I hear?" Spain's voice rang from around the corner. Behind him, France followed, and they went to the front door to greet him. "Hm? Where's Roderich?" He questioned.

"Ehh, about that, I came here alone!" Italia replied, scratching at his neck. "May I come in? I'm so very tired and hungry~~"

"Why of course!" Spain replied, grabbing the small boy into his arms and carrying him inside.

"I'll prepare something!" France offered, as he kissed Italia's cheek and went into the kitchen.

They all settled inside, France cooking them a nice dinner, and Spain offering Italia some fresh clothing. Soon they were all at the table, eating food, chatting, having such a nice time, Italia nearly forgot why he was even there.. Wait!

"So, Ita-chan, why did you come pay your big brothers a nice visit?" Spain's fingers crossed over themselves after placing down his fork to give Italia a sweet and warming smile.

"Ah! I almost forgot!" Italia dropped utensil and freaked out, "I-I-" He then sat there thinking. "Vee.. Uh.."

"Antonio, you're pressuring my little one~ Let him eat and remember, oui?" France reached his hand over to ruffle Italia's red hair. "He's all worn out from his journey here. Besides, I bet he just wanted to spend some time with us~~"

Romano stayed silent, just eating his food and shooting annoyed glares at France. He didn't like it when he did anything with his brother. Never, never would he trust France. It was clear he didn't like him. France scooted slightly away from Romano, and chuckled.

"B-big brother Spain, I-I'd uh, rather discuss it after we eat..~" Italia pitched in again.

"Si, Ita-chan~ We can talk then~"

Plates were licked clean, bellies were full, and shirts were slightly stained, now they all gathered together in Spain's living room, in a peaceful quiet setting of course, so they wouldn't be bothered by the other maids and servants in the house as Italia tried to talk to them. It was clear he was nervous, the way he fidgeted with his worn down long sleeve shirt, that probably used to be white, now a tannish color that looked pale against Italia's fingers.

"Big brother Spain.. Big brother France," He started with, not even looking up to them. "..I came here.. About Holy Rome,"

A cold breeze and mournful aurora filled the room. It was solemn, and almost like even the slightest sound would break air that surrounded them. Spain and France both looked to the ground, fully aware of what happened. Italia's head jerked around the room, although desperate for an answer and for someone to answer.

The coldness lingered in the room for a while until Spain spoke, "….Holy Rome, you say? Have you not heard..?" He began, finally peeling his eyes off from the ground.

"Antonio, no. I should say it." France interrupted him. He looked to Italia stern in the eyes. "Ita-cha- no. Feliciano. Look. I just want to say I love you very much, and I.. I wouldn't ever want to hurt you, oui?"

"Francis-" Spain tried to speak, but was cut off again.

"Italia. I.. You do understand what countries have to do to survive, oui?"

"S-si.. I understand that much, but what does that-"

"It was me." It sunk again. The mood, the breeze, the solemnity choked in France's throat and he took a deep breath. "Holy Roman Empire is no more, Feliciano. And.. And it's my fault."

Italia looked to France, eyes looking for some kind of laughter or a 'just kidding!' moment, but no. He felt in his heart that France.. Someone he looked up to so much so, was the one responsible to making his true love, the Holy Roman Empire, cease to exist. It took a few moments to settle in. It wasn't a right away reaction. He stared down to his hands, and then watched as they started to dampen, the tears falling down his cheeks and into his palms. After a moment, he curled into a ball in the chair, and just sobbed again.

Romano sat and watched as his brother broke down into tears, and growled at France. "Chigi! You bastardo, you made my brother cry-!" Romano jumped out of his chair, but Spain was faster, grabbing him and dragging him back down into his lap.

"Romano, no! He.. He did only what he had to." Spain spoke sadly to him.

"WHAT?! Are you siding with this assface and the stinky face, smelling of stinky ass moldy cheese?! Feli is crying, and you don't think for a moment that I will—" Romano started kicking around in his lap, yelling at France, and Italia only sat there, trying to collect himself again.

"F-fratello, stop yelling.." Italia spoke weakly to Romano, and he turned his head to France. "I-is it really true..? T-That you.."

"..Our Governments forced us into the war. There was no other choice. I never meant to abolish it, I only meant to defeat him.. But that's how countries are, alright?!" France got defensive, standing up, tears at the brim of his eyes. "I-I never wanted to hurt you, but destroying countries.. Making them cease to exist is something that happens so easily, and I never meant for it to happen.." He stumbled over to Italia, and wrapped his arms around him, crying softly. "I'm so sorry. I knew you loved him. But we can't stop it."

Italia's tiny body shook, and he continued to cry. But managed to speak quietly. "What.. What happens.. T-t-to countries.. W-when they die..?"

"….They live for a short time, before disappearing." He replied to him truthfully. "You guys.. Had such a beautiful thing. But.. Life goes on. We can't stop for everything that falls in our journey, you know?"

"I miss him. He promised me. I still.. I still believe. We'll meet again somehow."

"..Fel-"

"Francis." Spain shot a glance to him. France nodded.

"You have such a beautiful optimistic view of things, as always, Ita-chan. I will hope with you too. He will finally be with you once again. For good." France smiled lovingly to Italia.

"Hey. Hey, wake up.."

The noise hit his head like a bat. He squeezed his eyes open slowly, to face up to the man over him. He had.. Snow white hair. His eyes were a crimson like red, contrasting greatly from his pale complexion. He wore a fancy white ruffled up shirt, and a weird looking cross. "H-hallo..?" His own voice panged against the walls of his brain, ow.. He grabbed his head where bandages currently reside. "W-who are you..?"

"Ah, verdammt.." The strange man mumbled to himself. "Did he forget everything..? Well.. He's still alive, so there's that.." He put on a smile for him. "Guten morgan, little one. I'm Gilbert. But my country name is THE AWESOME KINGDOM OF PRUSSIA!" He snorted a small giggle. "Or, more like Prussia. You can call me bruder though, since I am your big brother."

"Bruder..? Forgive me, I can't remember.. I feel a bit bad now.. Owwiee.." He grabbed his head again.

"It's alright. It's almost as if you've been reborn, and that's fine. I'm so glad you're okay."

"What's.." He spoke quietly, "What's my name?"

"Your name is Ludwig. But you're also a country. So from now on, you'll be referred to as Deutschland." He smirked to him, patting his gold hair.

"Ludwig.. Deutschland.. This is a lot to take in! Can you tell me about being a country?" He looked to Prussia, willing to learn everything he needs to learn.

"Kesesese! Eager lil child! Alright then, to begin with…."

A few days passed, and Italia laid in bed with his brother, Romano. He had spent the past few days at Spain's house, and would soon return to Austria's. Romano was already half asleep, but Italia's mind raced, staring up at the dark blue sky and the shining stars. It was so very pretty at big brothers Spain's home. He smiled, and looked to Romano.

"Nee, fratello?" Italia broke the silence

"Hm..?" Romano questioned, looking to him tiredly.

"Do you think he may still be out there?"

"Eh. You know what the dingus bastardos told us. They dissolve out of existence, I really doubt he's still around."

Italia sighed and shrugged. "I think true love always finds a way, vee~" He grinned wider, staring to the sky again. He then watched as a shooting star shot across the sky. "Ve? Oh! Look at the sky! A shooting star! Make a wish!"

"Che, how childish." Romano remarked. He knew his brother was still very sad though.. So he gave in, and decided to play along, just for him. "Alright alright.. Uh.. I wish I can spend the rest of my days with a full belly and many siestas. There we go." He decided to go with.

Italia chuckled. "Silly fratello, hehe~" He looked back up to the sky. "I wish I could see Holy Rome again one day. Even.. If it's just for a moment..~" He stared lovingly into the sky, remembering Holy Romes face, and the time he saw him smile. He remembers it so happily.

"Now go to bed. Now your wish *must* come true. Will it help you sleep better?"

"Si~ But you wanna know what else will help~?"

"What?"

"Cuddles from you, fratello!"

"No! Don't you- gahh! Fine." Romano let Italia wrap his arms around him tightly, and he returned the cling, and sighed softly. "Now. Sleep."

"Of course~" Italia smiled and shut his eyes, quietly falling into a sweet slumber, dreaming of Holy Rome again.

Morning came by soon, and Italia woke up, yawning quietly, and looking to his brother who still was snoozing away and giggled. He pulled himself up and went to the bathroom to wash his face and wake up a bit. Afterwards, he stood there looking in the mirror for a few moments. He looked at his face, and how he had grown up quite a bit since he had seen Holy Rome. He wondered what he would think of him, seeing him now. His face defined itself out more, and his hair was a bit darker. He clearly wasn't an adult, really, still sorta short and even had his big chubby cheeks, but he wasn't so tiny anymore either. He pondered, if Holy Rome would still love him, and how he appeared even now.. He sighed, remembering his last words. He would also love him.. Always. That fact made him smile.

He rubbed at the small tears poking at his bottom eyelids and chuckled gently. "Geez, don't cry this early, you dummy.." He said to himself. He sucked it up and smiled, and left the bathroom and found Romano waiting there. "Ah! Fratello, what are-"

"You were in there talkin to yourself, reeeaally think ya jumped on the crazy train. Also you spent forever in thereee." He complained, pushing him aside and into the bathroom. Italia chuckled and sighed, and went down the stairs to greet Spain and France, giving them warm smiles.

"Good morning, Ita-chan~" Spain chirped sing-song like, flipping a pancake over on the pan, currently preparing food for them.

France walked over, and gently picked Italia up into his arms. "You sleep well, oui? We got a call from Roderich, he said he's going to pick you up today, so we're gonna make a big special breakfast~!"

"Veeeee~ Yay~" Italia beamed a smile and kept his arms around France as he held him up high, and laid against him. He placed him down and soon Romano joined them downstairs for breakfast.

"Roderich! You came early." Spain smiled, opening the door for him.

"Ah.. Yes. You know why I'm here, Antonio. I hadn't realized he had come all the way here by himself, and we need him back at our place. It's not safe here." Austria had informed him.

Spain's smiled faltered and took a more serious look. "..I do understand. But it's not like I'd let Ita-chan or Romano get hurt."

"It seems you really didn't care much for their safety. They're already on their way, I've seen their horse carts. Filled with explosives and militia weapons." Austria's glare stung Spain.

Spain sighed exasperatedly, and just looked at the ground. "I know. I have men taking care of it, Austria." Clearly annoyed, you started using the formal way of addressing him. He would do anything to protect the Italy brothers, and everyone else. He didn't like Austria questioning this.

"I mean, if you want to be extra careful, I can hold onto Romano, no matter how bratty he can be—"

"No! You already have my beautiful little Ita-chan, isn't that enough? Romanos mine."

"….Suit yourself." Austria shrugged.

"Well.. Wait here a moment." Spain shut the door and ran over to the rest. "Ita-chan, Mister Austria's here to pick you up." Spain placed his smile back on for them.

"Vee, already? Alrighty then.." Italia went over and kissed Frances cheek, hugged and kissed Romanos cheek, and then last but not least went over and kissed Spain's cheek, and headed towards the door. "Grazie for letting me stay~ and," He stopped for a moment, "For telling me the truth." He smiled widely, and then continued out the door and got in the carriage with Austria.

Italia laid outside in the garden, staring up at the beautiful sky, and smiling gently. It was a nice day, and he didn't have any chores to complete until after lunch, so he wanted to take a break and spend it outside. Soon, he ended up snoozing, taking a siesta right in the middle of the large field. He snores sounding like soft 'vee~'s, it was absolutely adorable. He seemed to be in complete rest, but the ground shaking so roughly awoke him, and he made a scared noise, "Ve?! Who's there?" Eventually he looked up and found an army of men or horse coming his way, and before running and screaming like usual, he noticed a familiar face.

"Ita-chan!" The voice called out, gruffy throat, but his happy tone and smirking like grin destroyed any sort of fear his voice could possibly strike. He jumped off his horse, and lifted Italia into his arms and he chuckled.

"Vee~! Big brother Prussia~~" Italia clung to him tightly, resting his head against his shoulder.

"Ahh, you've grown so much! You still working for Austria, huh? What a loser, come live with meeee~~~" Prussia clung to him tightly.

Italia giggled at his joke and just sighed. It was nice to see him. He hadn't seen him since.. Since sometime when he had seen Holy Rome. Wait.. Prussia was his brother, right? So, now thinking.. "Erm, big brother Prussia?"

"Ja, Italia? What's wrong?"

"I.." He felt nervous asking. He already knew what happened, but maybe Prussia could help. "Whatever happened to Holy Rome..? Do you think we could ever meet again?"

Prussia hesitated, surprised by the sudden questions. "I, err.." Prussia scratched at his neck. "Hm. Look, Italia, I'll tell you this." He smiled to him softly, and pulled out his necklace, with the cross looking thing he always had. "He's still out there. I know that. When you see this.." He placed the cross into Italia's hands, and he looked at it more closely. "Around a boys neck, then you may have found him. But that's all I can say. I can't tell you exactly where since he's off on his own again."

"..Really..? Really? He's really out there?" Italia smiled and gripped him in a hug again. "Thank you. That.. Really gives me hope, big brother!"

Oh shit, he's so goddamn cute, Prussia thought. He softly kissed his forehead, and placed him down. "You, head inside. I have to talk to Mister Austria about something now. But I'm glad we could talk about this. Stay hopeful, Ita-chan."

Italia nodded, and rushed inside, getting Mister Austria to go outside to talk, and Italia went into his room to change his clothing and get ready for lunch soon, and then more chores afterwards. He was very excited to work, knowing that the faster he works and becomes independent in the future, the faster he could meet with Holy Rome again. His heart fluttered and he fell against his bed and squealed quietly, and laid there. One day, Holy Rome.