A Nation's Best Friend


Italy has always loved animals. And while he was more of a cat person – their cute little paws and soft mewls when he cuddled with them were just too irresistible – he liked Germany's dogs too and often joined Germany on his walks with them. The dogs were really docile and tame, Germany had trained them well over all the decades, and they obeyed every single word of their owner. And Italy loved playing with them. Especially with the youngest, the Dalmatian Germany got only a few years ago. It was still so very playful and happily greeted him every single time he came to visit and Italy always took the time to play with. Given Germany's serious personality, who knew how often they even got to play around, not only with each other but also with a human – or a personified nation in their case. That was why Italy made it to his personal mission to play with the four dogs as much as he could.

Today was a very warm and sunny day, so Germany decided to not only take them for their daily walk in the neighborhood but also to make a small detour to the dog park that was right in the vicinity of his house. He liked to take the dogs there once in a while for them to run around and power themselves out because, while at home, there was no possibility for the four dogs to frolic around to their hearts content. The property just wasn't big enough, especially for the bigger ones.

In the dog park however, there was more than enough space and they had the chance to run around without closer supervision, Germany giving them the freedom to do whatever they wanted. So as soon as they all set foot into the park, Germany brought the dogs to heel and told them with a raised forefinger to run free but to still behave themselves.

As for Italy… well, he also took the blonde's words by heart and joined the dogs in their fun. He ran around the park as much as the dogs. How could he not? The sun was shining, a nice gentle breeze was blowing and there was an open lawn in front of him, basically inviting him to play around too. So he did just that. He raced about the park with the dogs and played tag with them or threw some stocks for them to fetch. There even was a black cat the Golden Retriever found strolling through the park, but when Italy chased it to play with it, the cat climbed up a tree where it was out of his reach.

Occasionally, Germany shouted some orders at him, stupid stuff like "Don't run off too far!" or "Stay where I can see you!" or "How often have I told you not to drink out of a fountain?!", but Italy didn't really listen to any of it. If he were to follow everything Germany yelled at him, he wouldn't have any fun anymore and be as dull as pasta without sauce. Just like the blonde was right now, sitting on a nearby park bench where he read a book in the shades of the trees. Boooring.

He should have just joined him and the dogs. It was so much fun! Reading a book could never compare to it. So, wanting to do Germany a favor, Italy went over to him and tried to convince him to put the book aside, but it didn't matter how strongly he pulled on Germany's arm, the other was like stone, a big heavy stone that he was unable to pick up, and moved not even an inch from his position. Instead, he calmly read on as if Italy wasn't just trying his hardest to pull him up.

Seeing that his efforts were fruitless, he gave it up and just went back to the dogs. The dachshund had already come over and was running around his feet anyway, wanting to get the attention of his playmate back.

His playful time with the dogs continued on for a while longer, until Italy could hear some barking rapidly getting louder and louder behind him. He turned around and, before he got a good look, had a big mass of black and golden fur in his face, as he got instantly tackled by the German shepherd. He lost his footing, the impact of the large dog too big for him, falling ungracefully on his butt, with the dog on top of him, licking his face up and down. Italy closed his eyes and laughed out loud. The rough tongue was tickling him!

"Are you done playing around?"

He looked up. Germany had come over from his reading spot and stood just next to him now, an amused expression on his face.

"Germany! Germany! Come lay down with us!" He held out his hand but could not reach the blonde from his position on the ground.

Although Germany rolled his eyes at him, he still took the offered hand gently in one of his own and sat down, their fingers entwined together. The German shepherd left his place from atop of him and lied down next to them instead. And one after another, the other three dogs also made their way over to where their master sat, having exhausted themselves by now.

Italy guessed they must have given off a nice picture, with Germany and him sitting in the middle of four dogs surrounding them as if they were being protected. It was such a tranquil and peaceful moment that he wished they could stay like this for the whole day. Contently, he shifted a bit around, closer to Germany – why did the other always leave so much space between them when he sat down anyway? – and rested his head on the blonde's lap, wanting to have more contact with his boyfriend.

Once he settled down in his new position, he yawned. Hmm, was it siesta time already? He must have lost track of time when he was playing with the dogs.

Germany softly petted his head. "Just go to sleep. I'm here."

He shifted his gaze to look directly into the icy blue eyes of Germany, before his eyelids started to feel heavy. Yeah, he couldn't think of any safer place than in his boyfriends lap and with their four little guardians around.