"... seems that he just got a minor case of heatstroke. The heat of the water must have been too much for him. He should wake up soon."
Germany heard someone who sounded like Japan speaking. He wasn't quite sure what was going on or where he was. He remembered passing out and a panicked Italy yelling for help.
"*SNIFF* I-I'm so relieved, *SNIFF*" That was Italy talking Germany realized. He was sitting right beside him.
"Geez! I can't believe, West! Passing out like that, and making poor Italia-chan worry like this. Not to mention the awesome me, having to drop everything to come over here to make sure he's okay. He's so blessed to have such a great older brother like me, kesesese!" Germany recognized that egotistic voice. It seemed that Italy had called his brother, Prussia while he was unconscious.
"I'm sure that Germany-san will be pleased to know that you took time out of your schedule just for him," he heard Japan say to Prussia.
"Kesesese! Of course!" Prussia said proudly. .Germany found his brother's laugh very annoying. He decided to keep pretending to be unconscious until Prussia left.
"You two are probably hungry, so I'll reheat dinner," Japan said, getting up.
"Okay," responded Italy, who wasn't sniffling anymore.
When Japan left silence fell across the room. Germany could feel Italy moving around beside him.
"Soooo, Italia-chan," Prussia said, breaking the silence. "What exactly is that, you are wearing?"
"Huh? Oh you mean the yukuta that Japan gave me," Italy answered. "He said it's a light kimono that is worn a lot at onsens a lot.
"Hmmm, well it look's good on you," said Prussia. Germany could hear his footsteps coming closer. "Especially when you're sitting like that."
"Ehh? What do you mean Prussia?" Italy asked confused.
"Well," Prussia said, as he slowly sat in front of Italy. "I can very clearly see the inside of your thigh," he said moving closer to Italy and touching his leg.
"Wha-!" Italy exclaimed, backing away from him.
"Heh, you shouldn't be so shy, Italia-chan," said Prussia licking his lips. "I promise I won't hurt you," he grabbed Italy's arm.
"Ah! No, s-stop let go!" Italy said, scared.
Prussia grinned, "Mmm, Italy-chan you're so-!"
Prussia stopped his assault on Italy, due to the fact that his wrist was being squeezed very painfully by a strong hand.
"Brother," Germany said sitting up. "You should let go of Italy, now."
"Germany!" Italy squeaked.
Prussia let go of Italy. "Ah, West, I w-was just-" he shut up when he noticed the look Germany was giving him.
"I think you should go help Japan with the dinner," said Germany, squeezing Prussia's wrist even more.
"Ow! O-okay, I'll go do that, ha, ha…!" Prussia said, laughing nervously.
Germany let go of his wrist and he practically ran out of the room.
"Hey Italy, are you okay?" Germany asked.
Italy was sitting on the ground on the other side of the room, his head hanging. Germany couldn't see his face, because his hair was in the way. He didn't respond to Germany's question.
"I'm really sorry about my brother's actions. I can't believe he did that," said Germany, scratching his head. "I mean, sometimes he'd say he thought you were cute, but I never thought he was ser-" Germany stopped speaking. Italy had begun to cry.
"Italy…" Germany walked over to him. Sitting down next to him, he put his arm around his shoulders.
"I'm sorry…I'm sorry," he said. Italy wrapped his arms around Germany's torso and began to cry even harder.
"I was s-so scared!" he sobbed, shaking. Germany felt extreme anger towards his brother, for making Italy feel like this. He put his other arm around Italy and held him close, trying to comfort him.
They stayed like that for a few minutes, before Italy stopped crying. He pulled away from Germany.
"*SNIFF* We should go and eat," he said wiping his face.
"Yeah," agreed Germany.
Italy stood up and stretched. Germany watched him as he looked over himself to make sure no unnecessary skin was showing.
"Italy," he said.
"Yes?" Italy asked.
Germany stood up and cupped his hand around Italy's face.
"I promise you, that no matter what, I'll protect you," he said, wiping away tears from Italy's cheek.
Italy opened his eyes and stared at Germany.
"You promise?" he asked, taking Germany's hand.
"Yes," said Germany, meaning it.
"Okay!" Italy said smiling brightly. "Then will you do something for me?"
"What is it?"
"Weeeeell…" Italy said thoughtfully, "As proof of your promise, I want…..a kiss!"
"Kiss?" Germany asked, blushing.
"Uh-huh! Right here," said Italy tapping his cheek.
"F-fine," Germany said. Italy's request wasn't completely unreasonable he thought to himself. He leaned over and took Italy's chin in his hand, as he kissed his cheek.
"Is that okay?" he asked, clearing his throat.
"Yep!" Italy said cheerfully.
They walked out together holding hands, Germany blushing and Italy smiling.
As they entered the dining area, Japan and Prussia were placing the food on the table.
"Ah, Germany-san," Japan said, noticing them. "Prussia-kun said you were awake."
"Yes," said Germany, giving a side glance Prussia. "Sorry for worrying you."
"No, no it's perfectly fine," said Japan. "Please, sit down."
Germany sat directly across from Prussia, and Italy sat beside him. Japan sat beside Prussia.
"Itadakimasu," said Japan.
As they ate the only sounds in the room were the clinking of dishes and chewing of food. Japan could sense the mood of the room and decided to take the least offensive subject of conversation.
"So, Italy-kun, Germany-san those yukuta look very good on you," he said. "Don't you agree Prussia-kun?"
Prussia looked like he'd just been asked if he wanted to go sleep in a lion's den, and at that moment he'd rather do that then be where he was.
"U-um yes, t-they look good," he said nervously.
The tension in the room was suffocating after that. Japan didn't understand what had happened. He decided to show them a small trick he knew.
"Hey, look," he said showing his hands. "I can detach my thumb!" then he showed them the trick.
The three of them just stared at him, shocked.
"I don't get it!" Japan thought to himself. "Greece-san and Turkey-san reacted the same way."
"Heh," Italy began to laugh. "You're funny Japan."
When Italy laughed, the tension in the room just dissipated. The rest of the dinner went without a hitch. When they finished, Japan led Prussia to an extra room and Germany and Italy went to their rooms.
Germany went into the bathroom to prepare for bed. When he got back, he noticed clothing that had just been thrown on the ground. Looking over t his futon he saw a human sized lump under the covers.
"*SIGH*" Germany walked over to the clothes and folded them. Then he walked over to the futon.
"Hey, Italy…" he said.
Italy's head popped out from under the covers.
"Yes Germany?"
"Don't you think this bed is a bit small, for two full grown men?" he asked.
"It's okay," Italy said. "We can sleep really close, so that there's enough covers."
"That's not really the problem," said Germany, looking at Italy's carefree-face.
Italy frowned a bit at Germany's words. "Please," he said fidgeting a little. "I..I don't want to be alone tonight."
Germany thought to himself, how vulnerable Italy would be, if he was alone in his room. Not to mention he did promise to protect him.
"Alright," he said. "But could you put your underwear on?"
"Ah, okay," said Italy getting up. Germany turned his face away from Italy as he walked over to the clothes to put his boxers on.
"I have them on now," he said.
"Come lay down then," Germany said, lowering himself into the bed. Italy crawled in next to him, pulling himself right up into his side.
"Germany?" Italy said.
"Yes?"
"Um, well I was wondering if you're okay," he said "I mean since you did pass out from heatstroke…"
Germany had completely forgotten the reason why Prussia was actually here. He had passed out in the hot springs and made Italy worry about him, again.
"Yeah, I'm oaky now," he said, putting his arm over Italy. Closing his eyes he started to fall asleep.
"Germany?" Italy said, again.
"*SIGH* Yes Italy?" said Germany opening his eyes.
"Thank you," said Italy. Leaning over he pecked Germany on the cheek.
Germany blushed slightly as he said, "Goodnight Italy."
"Ve~"
Soon they were both fast asleep, dreaming pleasantly.
