Title: It's a Girl Thing

Pairing: (Fem)Italy/Germany

Italy makes a deal with England and has one week as a woman to win Germany's heart, but how will Germany react when Italy's week is up and he learns the truth? Can Germany learn to see past the gender of his true love?

Chapter 10 - The Truth Comes Out

The first thing Italy could feel when he woke up early that morning were the strong arms that were wound around his unusually square shaped hips. Italy yawned tiredly, lifting a hand blindly to cover his mouth, eyebrows furrowing in confusion at the shape of his jaw...it seemed more defined, sharper even. He sat up slightly, eyes still glued close with tiredness, his shoulders feeling unusually bare; as if something was missing...didn't his hair usually dangle down onto them? The Italian lifted a hand, slightly startled when he felt the short, trimmed locks that only just reached his ears.

Slowly he blinked open his eyes, glancing around the room, the scene was certainly familiar and what he would have expected. His dress from last night lying in heap at the foot of the bed, joined by the German's shirt and trousers. The German himself, fast asleep beside him in bed, arms now draped across the Italian's lap, hair frayed out against the pillows and a distinctive love bite on the side of his neck. It was everything Italy had imagined, but something it felt...different.

Italy kept on blinking, vision still hazy and mind completely confused. He yawned again, lifting a hand to rub his eyes when he suddenly stopped as he realised something...his arm was brushing up against his chest...his completely flat chest. The Italian stared down at himself, he could stare directly at his lap, his view no longer obstructed by two large breasts, he slowly lifted up the covers, hands shaking slightly as he was starting to realise what had happened...sure enough, there it was between his legs...and it hadn't been there last night.

"Oh no..." Italy whispered, slowly shaking his head. How could he have been so stupid? He'd had seven days! His week was up! He'd been too busy having fun it'd completely slipped his mind. The Italian swallowed heavily, biting his lip, "Oh God..." Italy said, a little louder this time, slapping a hand to his mouth when he felt movement from the man next to him.

The German rolled over onto his back, muttered something incoherent before falling straight back to sleep. Italy breathed out a sigh of relief, heart hammering in his chest as he ever so slowly climbed off the bed. He stood back, hands clasped together as he gazed over at the sleeping German, panic starting to set in. Italy waited until he was sure Germany was fast asleep before he hurriedly scrambled around on the bedroom floor for his clothes and half leapt out of the door.

Once he was out of there, Italy burst noisily into his own bedroom, whimpering softly with panic as he began gathering together all of Hungary's clothes, shoving them into the back of the wardrobe out of sight before throwing on one of his blue military uniform, darting back out the door and downstairs, stumbling down the steps as he desperately tried to tug on his boots.

"Italy?" Japan looked up in surprise as he came out of the kitchen to find out what all the commotion was, "You're yourself again, did you tell Mr Germany and then turn back?"

"No! No Japan this is terrible!" Italy shrieked, shaking his head, "I only had a week! I forgot I had a week and now I'm a boy again!"

Japan stared at him, "So Mr Germany still doesn't know?"

"No! He's sleeping, I have to go and turn back into Felicia before he wakes up!" Italy said, quickly making for the front door.

"What?" Japan looked shocked, following him, "What happened to telling Mr Germany the truth?"

Italy shook his head, yanking the door open, "Japan I can't! Germany wants Felicia, he wants Felicia not me! I need to go and find England." Italy darted out the door in a flash, slamming it shut in Japan's face before he could protest any further.

Japan blinked slowly, sighing deeply, "The right thing to do would be for me to tell Mr Germany what is going on..." he shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose stressfully, "No...this isn't my problem, I will not make it my problem..." he sighed again, going back to the kitchen, "Maybe Italy will come to his senses soon..."

~0~

England sighed happily, leaning back in his rocking chair as he sipped his tea, letting his eyes drift closed. He hummed softly to no particular tune as he listened to the soft chirps of tiny birds that congregated in a tree nearby. There was something so peaceful and tranquil about having tea outside in the front garden, gentle breeze wafting over the Brit as he took another sip of tea, 'I love this, so peaceful...so quiet-'

"ENGLAND! ENGLAND! ENGLANNNNDDDDDDD!"

England cringed, almost dropping his tea cup at the sudden loud intrusion. His eyes shot open and he came face to face with a red faced Italian, who was stood, hands braced on knees, panting heavily as he'd ran all the way to the Brit's house. England stared at him, placing his cup down as he got to his feet, "Italy, what are you doing here?...I see your week is up."

"S-Sì..." Italy gasped out, desperately out of breath, he slowly stood up, still panting slightly as he reached for the Brit, "England, I need another potion."

"What?"

"I need another potion; I need to be a girl again! Please England..." Italy grabbed England's hand, staring desperately into his eyes, "I'll give you anything; please...I need to be Felicia again."

England's fuzzy eyebrows furrowed in confusion, shaking his head slightly, "I'm sorry Italy, I can't."

"What?" Italy stared at him in alarm, "But you have to! Please England I'll do anything!"

England shook his head, "Italy I can't-"

"But Germany LOVES me!" Italy yelled, gripping tighter on the Brit's hand, "He loves me England! I mean...not me, Felicia, he told me! Look!" he dug his hand into his shirt and pulled out his necklace, thrusting it into England's face, "He gave me this! He loves me England! Please!"

England took a step back, slightly wary of the Italian's desperation, "Italy look, I-I'd like to help you but I really can't."

"Why? Can you not make another potion? Did you lose the recipe?"

England rolled his eyes, pulling his hand out of the Italian's grasp, gently placing it on his shoulder, "It's not that, even if I gave you another potion Italy...it wouldn't work."

Italy looked confused, "...what? Why?"

"It's rejection syndrome Italy."

"What's that?"

England sighed, "Italy...there's many things I've learnt whilst doing magic and making potions...and one of those things I've learnt is that the body can't cope having its DNA changed so many times...potions like the one I gave you Italy are transmogrification potions, they alter your DNA, in that ones case, turning you female...but a potion like that can only be used on the same person once, after that it won't have any effect...I'm sorry Italy, you can drink as much as you like but nothing will happen."

Italy stared at him, blinking slowly as what the Brit was saying started to become clear, "But...he loves me..."

England looked at him sadly, "I'm really sorry Italy, but there's nothing I can do...I did say you only had a week after all..."

Italy nodded slowly, "Sì..." he whispered softly, heart giving a deep thud in his chest, "I understand..."

England glanced around awkwardly, collecting together his tea cup and book from the table, "Well...I'm going inside so urm...see you around."

"Bye..." Italy couldn't find the energy to protest anymore, what use would it do? There wasn't anything England could do for him...just as Italy was about to leave, he looked curiously over at the Brit, "England..."

"Yes?"

"Why did you let me go?" Italy asked softly, "When the allies attacked...you knew it was me, why did you let me go?"

England smirked slightly, "Because if I had told everyone it was really you, Germany would have found out...and I knew you were keeping it secret from him."

Italy nodded, "Grazie England..." the Brit smiled slightly, making his way towards the front door, but Italy called after him, "...but why did you do that for me?"

England stopped as he reached the door handle, sighing deeply, "Because...I know what's it's like to be in love with someone who will never feel the same way...that's why I helped you, Italy."

Italy looked slightly bewildered as the Brit disappeared into the house. He shook his head, he still needed to know what he was going to do, Italy knew who he needed to see...

~0~

"I'm coming, I'm coming..." Austria muttered irritably as he went to answer that annoying person who was hammering at his front door, this early in the morning no doubt! "Yes? Oh...hello Italy." the Austrian looked slightly confused; the Italian was the last person he expected to see on his doorstep.

"Austria! Is Hungary here please?"

"Italy?" Hungary appeared behind the Austrian, looking slightly confused to see the boy stood there, "You're back to normal!"

"Normal?" Austria raised an eyebrow, "Since when does he show up at our house this early without notice?"

Hungary rolled her eyes, gently pushing the Austrian back inside, "Austria go and have breakfast..." she waited until he'd left the threshold and disappeared into the next room before stepping down into their garden with the Italian, "Italy...what happened?"

"The potion ran out! It only lasts a week and I forgot, and England can't help me..." he bit his lip, grasping a tight hold of Hungary's hands, "Hungary...I don't know what to do..."

Hungary looked at him sadly, gently squeezing his hands, "Sweetie...the only thing you can do is tell Germany the truth, tell him it was really you..."

Italy shook his head, "Hungary you don't understand, Germany told me he loves me...I can't let him see me like this." he stared sadly down at himself.

"But Italy...if Germany's in love with you then he'll understand."

"No...he fell in love with Felicia, not me." Italy sniffed slightly, biting his lip, "It's not fair..."

Hungary sighed, gently pulling him into a hug, "Sweetie it'll be okay..."

"It won't, it'll never be okay..." Italy mumbled softly, burying his head in Hungary's shoulder.

"Italy you need to tell Germany the truth...if he loves you he'll understand why you had to do what you did."

"He'll never forgive me...not after everything we've done..."

Hungary pulled back slightly to look at him, "Italy...what exactly did you do with Germany?"

Italy bit his lip, shrugging slightly, "Last night...we made love..."

Hungary stared at him, resisting the urge to squeal, "Oh wow really?" Italy nodded, "Wow...was that not strange, I mean, as a girl?"

"...well I'm a virgin boy or girl so...not really."

"How was it?" Hungary asked, going slightly red.

Italy smiled slightly, "It was amazing...Germany's was so caring and gentle with me..."

Hungary smiled at him, gently patting his back, "Well then...I'm sure he'll understand, I'm sure Germany wouldn't be so shallow as to fall in love with Felicia for her looks, he fell in love with your personality Italy, and you just have to remind him of that..."

Italy nodded, but still couldn't help feeling unsure, "Okay..."

Hungary smiled reassuringly, "Just tell Germany what's in your heart Italy, if he truly loves you he'll understand."

~0~

"Mr Germany...the kettle has boiled."

"Hm?" Germany glanced up, taking a few moments to process what Japan had said, "Oh, ja..." he muttered, reaching for the kettle, sighing deeply.

Japan got out some tea cups, looking at the German with concern, "Mr Germany, are you okay? You seem bothered..."

"Ja I'm fine..." he muttered, taking a cup, "Japan...you didn't happen to see Felicia leave this morning did you?"

Japan coughed awkwardly, turning away, "No, no I didn't see...Felicia...leave this morning."

Germany nodded slowly, "She must have left much earlier then...or in the middle of the night..." he murmured softly, running a hand across the back of his head.

Japan sighed, "I'm sure she'll return soon...she had no reason to leave." he said softly, 'Not your problem...just hold it in, don't tell him because it's not your problem Japan...Italy will have to deal with it...' Japan told himself firmly.

Germany's head suddenly shot up at the sound of the front door opening and he raced through the kitchen to see who it was, "Felicia? Oh...hallo Italy." he blinked slowly, slightly shocked by the boy's presence.

Italy smiled awkwardly, heart hammering nervously in his chest, "Ciao Germany...long time no see."

Japan poked his head out of the door, watching with interest, "Hello Italy, glad to see you're feeling better." he said, tongue in cheek.

"Oh ja, you're well then Italy?" Germany asked softly, looking past him to the window to try and see if he could see the Italian girl anywhere on his front lawn.

Italy nodded slowly, "Sì...that's why I'm back."

"I see...so is that why your friend Felicia left?" he asked, not being able to help the note of disappointment that found its way into his voice.

"Sì...she went home..." he muttered softly, trying to ignore the disapproving look the Asian was giving him.

Germany nodded, wandering over towards his office, "I see...well, welcome back…I'll urm, just...be in here..." he said, disappearing into his study, closing the door softly behind him.

Italy sighed deeply, falling backwards against the front door, running his hands down his face. Japan shook his head, stepping over to the Italian, still with that disapproving look on his face. Italy looked up, glaring at him slightly, "Stop looking at me like that...I'm going to tell him."

"When?"

"I...I don't know..." he sighed, glancing across at Germany's study.

"Italy, just bite the bullet and do it...now." Japan said gently, tugging the Italian towards the German's office.

"...okay, I'll do it..." he whispered softly, heart hammering nervously as gently pushed open the door to the study, poking his head inside, "Germany?" he said ever so softly, glancing up at the dismal German sat at his desk, pretending to busy himself with paper work.

Germany looked up, clearing his throat slightly, "Oh, hi Italy...how are you?"

"I'm okay..." Italy said softly, slipping into the room, closing the door behind him, "...are you?"

"Ja, I'm fine...were you well taken care of the last week?"

Italy nodded, "Sì..." he bit his lip; he had no idea how he was even supposed to begin to tell Germany the truth...

"Italy." the Italian looked up, "You wouldn't know Felicia's home address would you?" Germany asked, reaching for a blank envelope, "I was thinking I would write her a letter...she urm, left without saying goodbye so...I wanted to ask why that was..."

Italy bit his lip, heart hammering nervously in his chest; pushing off the door he slowly approached the desk, "No...no I don't Germany."

"Hmm..." Germany tapped his pen against the side of his chin, "She's in the Italian army isn't she? Do you know what regiment she's in?"

Italy sighed, shaking his head, "No Germany."

Germany looked up, eyebrows furrowed with confusion, "You two are good friends aren't you? How do you not know where she lives?"

"Germany..." Italy rested his hands on the back of his head, sighing slightly, "I don't know where she lives...because she doesn't live anywhere."

"What?"

Italy stood leaning slightly into the desk, hands bunched together to stop them from shaking, "...she doesn't live anywhere."

Germany looked even more confused, dropping his pen onto the desk, "You mean...she's homeless?"

Italy cringed slightly, why was this so difficult? "Not exactly..."

"Italy..." Germany pushed back his chair, getting to his feet, "Do you know where Felicia is?"

Italy bit his lip, looking away from the German's intense stare, "...she's not anywhere." he mumbled softly, voice almost inaudible.

"What?" Germany came around his desk to face the Italian properly, slamming his hands down on his shoulders to get him to look up, "Italy what are you talking about?" he asked seriously.

Italy could feel his shoulders starting to shake under the German's hands, even though he was slightly taller now, the height difference as well as the general physical difference between them was greatly intimidating, "I...I..."

Germany stared at him, realisation slowly filling his face, "Italy...have you done something to her?" he growled, hands tightening on his shoulders.

Italy looked confused, "What?"

"How is it that she's vanished so suddenly? Just as you've come back..." he said slowly, shaking his head, "Italy tell me where she is."

Italy bit his lip, tears pooling in the corners of his eyes, "I can't..."

Germany winced slightly with annoyance, "Italy...tell me, now." he growled dangerously.

Italy whimpered slightly, pulling away from the German's hands, "Germany please..." Germany's hands brushed past Italy's collar, tugging at it slightly, the German suddenly stopped and stared, eyes widening with shock. Italy looked confused, eyes shifting about nervously, "G-Germay?"

Germany's stare was focused directly at the Italian's neck, where he'd seen something silver dangling from it, "What is that around your neck?"

Italy glanced down, not realising what he was referring to, "...what?"

Germany's hand suddenly lunged forwards, he grabbed hold of the Yin and Yang necklace, pulling it towards him, "Where did you get this?" he asked, glaring at the Italian, holding it up in his face.

Italy bit his lip, "Germany-"

"I gave this to her..." Germany growled, eyes flickering back and forth from the necklace to the Italian's terrified face, "WHY DO YOU HAVE IT?" he thundered, yanking the necklace off from around Italy's neck, breaking the silver chain.

Italy backed away slightly, staring at the German in fear, "Germany..."

The German rounded on Italy, stress veins popping up on his forehead as he roughly grabbed the Italian by the front of the shirt, "ANSWER ME!"

Italy squealed slightly, trying to pull away from him, "Germany please!"

"JUST ANSWER THE QUESTION ITALY! WHERE DID YOU GET THIS NECKLACE?"

"You gave it to me Germany!"

Germany stared at him, letting go of the Italian, "...what? I did no such thing; this was a gift for Felicia!"

Italy shook his head, "Germany...isn't it obvious?"

"What's obvious?"

"Germany I'm Felicia!"

Germany blinked slowly, forehead wrinkled with confusion, "...what?"

Italy bit the side of his finger, eyes watering again,"...I'm Felicia." he whispered softly.

Germany shook his head, "Italy, what are you going on about? Stop with this nonsense und tell me where she is!" he demanded.

"Germany she's right here, right in front of you..." Italy said softly, taking the German's hand in his own, "I'm Felicia."

Germany pulled his hand away, glaring at that Italian, "Stop saying that! It's not true!"

"Germany I wouldn't be saying this if it wasn't true!"

Germany stared at him, slowly shaking his head, "...but that's not possible." he said softly, eyes drifting down to the necklace still in his hand.

"It is if you're magic..."

Germany rolled his eyes, scoffing slightly "Oh so you're magic as well now?"

Italy sighed slightly, "No, England is...he gave me a potion to turn me into a girl, for just one week..." he looked up at the German, biting his lip slightly, "...that's when you met Felicia right? When I disappeared...well, my weeks up so...I'm back."

Germany shook his head, stepping past the Italian, "...that can't be true." he muttered irritably, making for the door.

Italy sighed, "When you first met her you made her cry." he said, stopping the German in his tracks, "...then you asked her out for drinks...you kissed that night and the next day you asked her to be your girlfriend." Germany slowly turned around, staring at the Italian in shock, "...on your next date you were attacked by the allies and she went missing, then you rescued her from France...and last night you told her you loved her and you gave her that necklace." Italy pointed to the necklace in the German's hand, making his way over to him, taking the hand that was clutching the silver chain, "...you gave me this necklace, Germany."

Germany glanced down at the hand around his own, then back up at Italy, he swallowed heavily, his heart giving a painful thud in his chest as he realised Italy must be telling the truth...how else would he know all these things? He blinked slowly, gasping slightly when the resemblance suddenly clicked, those eyes...those big amber eyes...Germany's jaw clenched, the hand around the necklace tightening, "...so, that was you...this entire time."

Italy nodded slowly, "Sì..." he said softly, letting go of the German's hands as his face was increasingly reddening, he took a slight step back "Germany, are you okay?"

Germany took a deep breath, letting his eyes close as he could feel the intense rage boiling within him, "...you lied to me." he spat, voice trembling as he spoke, "You played me like a fool."

"Germany-"

"I thought we were friends..." Germany opened his eyes, shooting daggers at the Italian, fists clenched at his sides, arms shaking, "HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO ME?" the German roared, advancing on Italy.

Italy stared at the German in fear, rapidly backing away from him, "Germany-"

"Was this just some kind of sick game?" Germany spat, shaking with rage, "Is this how you get your kicks Italy, by messing around with people's emotions?"

Italy shook his head, tears pooling in his eyes again as his back met the wall, "Germany I never wanted to hurt you..."

Germany stopped, taking a few deep breaths, eyes never leaving the Italian's betraying face, "You've destroyed me Italy..." he snarled, shaking his head, "The woman I'm so deeply in love with doesn't even exist!"

"She does!" Italy insisted, grabbing the German's arm, "Germany, I'm Felicia-"

"YOU'RE NOT HER!" Germany thundered, snatching his arm away from the offending Italian, "You'll never be her Italy!"

Italy bit his lip, tears starting to leak from his eyes, stomach giving a painful twist, "Germany..." the Italian reached for him again, "Last night-"

"I wish last night had never happened!" Germany shot at him, slapping his hand away, suddenly paling when he realised what he was referring to "O-Oh mein gott..." he stared at Italy, "Does this mean we've had SEX?"

Italy went to reach for him again, "Germany-"

Germany rapidly backed away, desperately shaking his head, "Nein! Nein! Nein! Nein this can't be happening!" the German felt sick, his whole world crashing down, "We can't have done that!"

"Germany please..." Italy whispered, following the German until he was backed up against the wall opposite, placing his shaking hands against the German's shoulders, "Last night was so wonderful..."

Germany stared at him, disgust filling his face, "You're sick." he growled, shaking his head, "You're sick und twisted." he grabbed the Italian's hands, forcing them off himself, "...und I never want to see you again."

Italy felt his heart break, tears pouring down his cheeks, "W-What?"

"Get out of mein house Italy."

Italy shook his head, taking his hand, "Germany-"

Germany glared at him, grabbed the Italian roughly by the wrist and shoved him hard into the door, "GET OUT!"

Italy slumped against the door, shaking slightly from fear, tears continuingly making their way down his face, wrist throbbing painfully. He hurried scrambled at the door handle for a moment before letting himself out, tearing past Japan who was still stood outside the door.

"Italy..." he called after him but the Italian was already out the front door, slamming it shut behind him. Japan was still for a few moments, just listening to the eerie silence. He went to reach for the door handle of the German's study but stopped when he heard the distinct sound of sobbing coming from inside; Japan bit his lip, thinking better of it. The Asian went back to the kitchen, he was glad he wasn't the one who had to tell Germany the truth, but judging by what had happened, the truth suddenly didn't seem that great...

Two heart broken boys right there :(

Three guesses as to who England was talking about haha

Reviews are love :)